Call for submissions: Squeaky Wheel’s 23rd Animation Fest!

Deadline: June 26, 2026, 11:59 PM Notification Date: August 22, 2026 Squeaky Wheel announces the call for submissions for our annual Animation Fest!  Celebrating its 23rd year, we are proud to continue a festival showcasing short films and artworks made in a diverse variety of animation techniques, including stop-motion, claymation, 3D animation, hand-painted film, motion graphics, and more. All genres are welcome. Past festivals have showcased work from both emerging and established artists. The 23rd Animation Fest will be held online and in-person on Friday, December 4 2026 at the Buffalo AKG Art Museum. Films in the virtual program will be accessible for 24 hours thereafter for general audiences, and 72 hours for Squeaky Wheel members. If selected, you will be asked for a downloadable copy of your film and stills from your film. Each individual submission should not exceed ~10 minutes. There is no submission fee. All selected artists will receive a screening fee of $100 per selected film. (International applicants must have a PayPal account to receive their screening fee). All selected artists will receive a one year membership to Squeaky Wheel. Multiple submissions per artist are accepted. Films must have been completed within the past ~2 years. Artists who face systemic and structural barriers are encouraged to apply. Please direct any questions about the application process and your submissions to office@squeaky.org with the subject “Animation Fest” Click here to submit your films Image description: Documentation from the 20th Animation Fest retrospective at North Park Theater. A projection in a darkened movie theater. On the screen is the word “Filmmakers!”, which is from Helen Hill’s 2004 short film Madame Winger Makes a Film: A Survival Guide for the 21st Century.