TEHRAN – The 14th Tehran International Animation Festival, organized by the Institute of Intellectual Development of Children and Youth (IIDCYA), has officially announced the call for works.
The festival, which will be held in the Iranian capital from May 24 to 28, 2026, aims to serve as an inclusive platform for artists and filmmakers from all over the world to showcase their creative talents, exchange ideas and foster innovation in the field of animation.
The registration period for the festival opens on Monday and will be accepted until January 10, 2026. Iranian and international filmmakers are invited to submit their works through the festival’s official website. The selection process for the festival’s various categories is scheduled for mid-January.
There are various categories in the competition section of the festival, and there are specific criteria for participation. In particular, filmmakers can submit up to three episodes from a series or collection, as well as advertising works such as educational, industrial and promotional films.
The selection of entries for the competition is overseen by a dedicated panel of judges carefully selected by the festival’s organizing committee. Furthermore, since the people involved in the production of the submitted works are not qualified to serve as judges, fairness is maintained. To maintain transparency, festival representatives will participate in the jury’s deliberations without voting rights.
The festival will introduce several new thematic sections aimed at focusing on both contemporary and socially relevant issues. These include the Cypress and Olive (Gaza) division, which explores the history of imperialist crimes on a global scale and promotes a culture of resistance and human dignity. This section aims to raise awareness about the resilience of the Palestinian land and its people.
Additionally, the festival has expanded its scope to include the categories of ‘Motion Graphics’ and ‘Artificial Intelligence’, reflecting the evolving landscape of digital animation and technological innovation.
The international competition is open to works created after January 2022, and the jury will award prestigious trophies, including gold, silver and bronze statues, to the top three works in each category.
The festival will also recognize excellence in various special awards, including Best Film with a Religious Theme, Best Director, Best Film that Emphasizes the Values of the Islamic Revolution, and Best Film with a “Cypress and Olive” theme. Other categories include Best Children’s and Youth Animation, Best Screenplay, Best Student Animation, and awards for animation design, technical achievement, and artistic excellence. Special awards will also be awarded by the Festival Secretariat and the jury for outstanding contributions.
Although competitions are the core of the festival, the non-competition sections are equally important. The “Special Screenings” section aims to promote dialogue and cultural exchange between artists from different countries. This section presents selected works from various global festivals, thematic retrospectives, and explorations of specific artistic schools and styles. Meanwhile, the “Perspectives” segment focuses on educational and informational content, showcasing works that highlight emerging talent or the role of animation in advertising, or provide insight into the careers of established filmmakers.
The festival’s governing body emphasizes that all entries must be registered via the festival’s official website and that the tracking code must be clearly displayed on each entry. Only works using this code will be considered.
The 14th Tehran International Animation Festival aims to create a dynamic and inclusive environment that fosters creativity, innovation and cultural dialogue. Its overarching purpose is to provide a platform for the exchange of ideas, discover new talent and promote new techniques and perspectives in animation. The festival continues to strengthen Iran’s position as a center of creative animation within the region and beyond by promoting a space for artistic experimentation and excellence.
As the festival approaches, filmmakers and artists from around the world are encouraged to participate and contribute to this vibrant celebration of animated art and storytelling. The event promises an exciting line-up of screenings, awards and cultural exchanges, reaffirming Tehran’s role as a vital center for international film and arts dialogue.
SAB/