Open World 2026: november 5-8
SUBMISSIONS FOR THE 2026 FESTIVAL ARE CLOSED
SUBMISSION CRITERIA
Submissions Open December 1, 2025
Early Submissions Open: February 1
Early Submissions Close: March 31
Regular Submissions Open: April 1
Regular Submissions Close: June 30
Late Submissions Open: July 1
Late Submissions Close: September 30
Notification Date: October 6
COST
Early Submissions - $10 (Students - $5)
Regular Submissions - $15 (Students - $10)
late Submissions - $25 (Students - $15)
CATEGORIES
The Voyager Award (Best In Show)
Best Animated Short
The Immersive Award (VR)
Best Music Video
Best Student Film
criteria
FILM LENGTH: 10 SECONDS - 100 MINUTES
GIFS: Please send to - Contact@OpenWorldAnimation.com
ELIGIBILITY: Only films made after December 31, 2023 are eligible to compete for awards.
LANGUAGE: ANY (Please include English subtitles if not in English.)
STYLE: Any style that is considered animation, including but not limited to: Stop Motion, Digital & Computer, Film Cel, 3D, Claymation, Rotoscope, Mixed Live Action/Animation, Music Videos, Video Game Cutscenes, Virtual Reality & GIF.
ASPECT RATIO: ANY. We are open to unique framing methods. Please note if there are any special instructions for screening your film.
You may ONLY submit work which you own or have licensing for.
Films MUST be viewable in their entirety to be eligible.
If accepted, you will be contacted with additional information. Please note that due to high number of submissions & requests, we may not be able to respond to every inquiry.