FAFF celebrates factual and documentary animation - the only festival of its kind anywhere. Last year, at Cinema Museum, we screened more than 20 animated and mixed media shorts from around the world to an audience of professionals, students and film fans.
This year we will be host the successful submissions in in London (venue to be confirmed), on the 17th October 2020 (date subject to change).
As well as as our screening programme, FAFF 2020 will host a panel talk and opportunities to connect with leaders and peers from the creative industries. There will be a prize for the best animated film and for the winner of our indent competition.
All mediums and techniques of animation are welcome, on any topic as long as it is non-fictional in nature. Please see the category descriptions for more information.
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FAQs
What kinds of films are eligible?
- Examples of "factual animation" include:
- An animated film about a factual subject
- About dreams or hallucinations
- Telling a family story
- Representations of physical and mental health conditions
- Visualises folklore, prejudice and other 'invisible' subjects
- A factual story told though a fictional character
- A public service announcement
- News and reportage
- About historical events
- An educational film
- A biopic
- About social issues
- An explainer video
- Visualises statistics or abstract concepts
- An NGO, social or political campaign film
Does my film have to be a documentary?
- No. It just needs be a predominantly animated film that covers a factual, real subject.
I've made a film, but I'm not sure it's 'animated enough'. Is it?
- Your film should either prominently use animation, or use it at points to explore its core themes. We want to show films that don't rely solely on live action footage to explore topics. We will also consider experimental films, that play with images and sound through cropping, cutting, speeding up, slowing down, reversing, mixing, filtering etc.
I am a national of a country excluded from the international banking system. Can I still submit my film?
- In the spirit of artistic freedom and cooperation, Iranians and other nationals affected by international sanctions may still submit their animation project to FAFF. Please email us for details of how to do so.
I am resident in an African Union country. Are there any special offers for animators like me?
- There's much exciting animation from Africa, but we rarely receive submissions from filmmakers based on the continent. This year we are offering free entry to African animators - defined as those resident in countries and territories that are part of the African Union. Please email us for more info.
I cannot afford the submission fee. May I still submit my film?
- Organising film festivals is expensive and, without sponsorship or government grants, it is very difficult to be financially sustainable. We have kept the submission fees as low as possible and only in very rare cases will we offer waivers. If you have created something truly remarkable, and genuinely cannot afford the fee, get in contact and we'll see what we can do. If you can afford the submission fee, please don't ask us for a waiver.