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The FAB 2026 Teaser was produced by dyrdee Media
Open Call
Film Submissions for FAB 2026
The Festival of Animation Berlin (FAB) is calling for submissions of animated films and animation projects from January 20 to March 20, 2026 for the 8th festival edition, which will take place from October 8 – 11, 2026 at silent green Kulturquartier and City Kino Wedding.
Competitions
International Animation
Animated shorts made by international filmmakers
German Animation
Animated shorts made by international filmmakers
New Talents
Animated shorts made by students
Pink Panda
Animated shorts suitable for children and teens
Commissioned Animation
Animated shorts with commercial background
Out-of-Competition
Horror Special
Animated short films by international filmmakers in the horror genre.
FAQ
What projects are eligible?
Any animated film, including combinations of live action and animation, completed after May 1st 2024 are accepted for submission to the competitions.
What's the submission period?
The film submission runs from January 20t to March 20th, 2026 – 12pm (UTC+2).
What competition categories can you submit to?
This year films can be submitted to the following categories:
- International Animation
- German Animation
- New Talents (student animation)
- Pink Panda (Animation for Kids & Teens)
- Commissioned Animation
How to submit a film?
For submission you need an account at the submission platform FilmFreeway.
Where are the regulations?
Find the detailed rules and regulations on FilmFreeway. In short, a downloadable version will be available.
Any out of competition programs available?
For submission, an Out-of-Competition programme with the thematic focus “Horror” is planned.
Submissions are open to animated short films with a running time of up to 15 minutes that fit the thematic context of the special. Films completed more than two years ago are also eligible.
Films submitted to one of the competitions may optionally also be considered for the Out-of-Competition programme (at no additional submission fee).
Additional Open Calls
Submission to the 6th FAB Dimensional
Animation Expanded - beyond the cinema screen
Festival of Animation Berlin is looking for expanded animation artwork submissions for our exhibition series “FAB Dimensional”. Qualified are all artworks that contain animation and cannot be screened or shown in a regular cinema setup. This can be video installations or kinetic installations, as well as multidisciplinary animation works which include for instance AR, VR, Video projection mapping, Mixed Media, Interactive Art, Immersive Art and more. The submission period is from 5 March to 5 May 2026.
FAQ
What projects are eligible?
This call is open to everyone aged 18+. You can submit your work as an individual person and as a team. You can submit multiple projects and artworks. Only fully completed applications will be taken into account. Participation in this call for entry is free of charge.
What's the submission period, when does FAB Dimensional take place?
Artists are asked to submit their proposals from 5 March to 5 May 2026 – 12pm (UTC+2).
Full timeline:
Entry Deadline: May 5, 2026 by the end of the day
Notification to selected artists: May 20, 2026
Setup period: Oct 6 – 8, 2026
Opening: Oct 8, 2026 at 7 pm
Exhibition: Oct 8 – 11, 2026
Dismantling: Oct 12, 2026How to submit an animation project?
The proposals can be submitted in German, English or Spanish via this link be submitted.
The proposals shall include:
- Short description of the artwork (< 150 characters)
- Long description of the artwork (approx. 200 words)
- If applies, dimensions of the artwork
- If applies, duration of the artwork
- Artist bio (< 200 words)
- List of technical equipment, with indications if it will be provided by artist or technical description (pdf-document, max. 10Mb)
- Photos or other images that show the visual appearance of the installation (approx. 3 -5 files, jpg)
- Link to trailer or video documentation
What type animation projects can be submitted?
The submitted artwork has to be of such a kind, that it cannot be shown in the classical cinema setup. We´re particularly searching for non-linear, space based animation art. Artworks that contain live action or documentary content will be only considered for selection, if they include an important amount of animation sequences as well.
We´re looking for artworks that have been already produced or are at a level of at least 90% produced. The artwork may have been already presented in the context of other festivals or exhibitions.
The selected artists will be provided an artist fee and FAB will cover the cost for artwork transportation, travel and accommodation. A full accreditation for the FAB Festival (Sep 26 – 28) is provided.
What are the submission criterias?
- Artistic Quality
- Contains Animation
- Uses animation as the heart of artistic creation
- Original idea
- Audience experience e.g. through interaction
- Technical feasibility
- Innovative use of Technology
Where does the FAB Dimensional take place?
The exhibition’s venue is silent green Kulturquartier (Gerichtstraße 35, D-13347 Berlin/Germany)
Is help available on site for installation?
FAB Festival can offer help with the technical set up and can provide technical equipment upon agreement. Assistance in adapting your work to the site will be provided by the festival. The festival can provide technical assistance in set up and dismantling.
A responsible person will be there to turn on and off your installation during the exhibition period. The festival provides security service (guards) to the artworks.
Is there a submission fee?
The submission to FAB Dimensional is free of charge.
Where are the regulations?
Find the detailed rules & regulations here.
I still have questions. Who can I contact?
For further questions you can contact us at exhibition@fa-berlin.com
Submission for the 5th FAB Pitch
Presentation of animation projects in development
In 2026, the FAB Pitch enters its fifth round and once again offers filmmakers and studios a platform to present their animation projects in development to an industry audience! Pitch submissions can represent any genre and form and be aimed at any target audience. Animators are invited to submit their projects from April 1 to May 31, 2026. We look forward to seeing your ideas!
FAQ
What projects are eligible for submission?
The pitch is open to all types of animation projects in development, without restriction to a specific target audience.
What's the submission period?
Registration for the FAB Pitch opens on 1 April 2026 and runs until 31 May 2026 – 23:59 (UTC+2).
How to submit a project for the pitch?
Submission runs from 1 April – 31 May 2026 via this form.
The following are required for submission:
- (work) title of the project
- Information on format, genre & target group of the project
- short description (< 230 characters)
- full description (< 500 characters)
- Sketches / Styleframes (up to 5)
- submitter’s biography (< 200 words)
- Information on required resources/collaborations
- Information on the state of production
- Plans for distribution/evaluation
What are the regulations?
- all animation techniques are accepted
- the project contains at least 50% animation
- the project is currently in development
- withdrawal from participation is possible until 1 July 2026
- the participation fee must be paid prior to the pitching event
Does it cost anything to submit and take part in the pitch?
The submission to the FAB Pitch is free. If a project is selected for the pitch, the cost of participation is 100.00 euros. We are offering two scholarships for students. In preparation for the pitch, a workshop of several hours will be held to help all participants prepare for the pitch in the best way possible.
When will the decision on the selected projects be made?
You will receive the decision as to whether your project has been selected for the FAB Pitch by June 22, 2026.
What guests are expected?
The pitch will be attended by industry professionals, producers and animators. However, the event is also open to a non-industry audience upon registration.
