Animix Festival Animation Competition 2025 Rules and Regulations

1. Introduction
   The international animation competition (formerly known as “Asif”) is the centerpiece of the annual Animix Festival. Produced in collaboration with the Israeli animation community, the competition aims to:

• Promote the art of animation in Israel and internationally.
• Empower the animation community by providing a platform for innovative and groundbreaking works.
• Support creators by fostering connections between artists and audiences, both locally and globally.

2. Objectives
   The competition seeks to achieve the following:

• Celebrate Creativity: Showcase the best animation from the past year.
• Build Community: Connect Israeli and international animation creators.
• Support Emerging Talent: Provide a platform for young and new creators.
• Promote Excellence: Encourage artistic and professional achievements.
• Foster Collaboration: Facilitate partnerships between local and global creators.
• Promote Animation Culture: Expose diverse audiences to the art of animation and its cultural value.

3. Structure of the Competition

• Artistic Director: Responsible for the content and curatorial choices.
• Producer: Manages the operational aspects of the competition in close collaboration with the Artistic Director.
• Selection Committee: Chooses the films to be screened during the competition.
• Judging Panel: Selects the winners.

4. Competition Timeline

• Submissions Open: February 5, 2025
• Submissions Close: April 22, 2025
• Notifications to Participants: June 2025
• Festival Dates: August 5-9, 2025

5. Competition Categories

International Competition:

• Best Feature Film (over 50 minutes, produced after January 1, 2024)
• Best Short Film (produced after January 1, 2024)
• Best Music Video (minimum 50% animation, produced after January 1, 2024)
• Best Young Audience Film (for ages 4-14, produced after January 1, 2024)
• Best Student Film (produced outside Israel after January 1, 2024)
• Best Animated Documentary Film (produced after January 1, 2024)
• Best Animated Experimental Film (non-narrative works, produced after January 1, 2024)

Israeli Competition:

• Best Short Film (created after January 1, 2024, showcasing unique creative voices)
• Best Student Film (academic projects created in Israel after January 1, 2024)
• Best Commercial Film (commissioned works created after January 1, 2024)
• Best Short-Short Film (up to 90 seconds, created after January 1, 2024)
• Best Music Video (minimum 50% animation, created after January 1, 2024)
• Best Young Creator (created independently or by school students under age 18 after January 1, 2024)

In addition, the festival will showcase special non-competitive programs featuring selected works that reflect contemporary trends, significant contributions, or thematic connections in the field of animation.

6. Definition of Animation Films
   The competition accepts only animated films, defined as visual works where movement is created artificially rather than through live-action filming. Animation may include techniques such as frame-by-frame drawing, stop-motion, computer-generated imagery (CGI), or innovative methods.

Films incorporating AI techniques will be accepted only if the creator has made a significant creative contribution to the production process and if the work aligns with the festival’s values. The Artistic Director reserves the right to evaluate such entries individually.

7. Submission Process

• Eligible films must have been created after January 1, 2024, and meet the criteria of the relevant category.
• Only completed films will be accepted (no works-in-progress).
• Submissions must be made via the Film Freeway platform.
• Only creators with full rights to the submitted work may participate. The submitter is responsible for ensuring all rights, including music and visuals, are cleared.
• The competition management reserves the right to transfer a film from one category to another, with prior notice to the creators.
• The festival management may disqualify films from screening if they contain offensive content, incitement to violence, pornography, or any content that does not align with the festival’s values.
• Selected films must provide:
  • A synopsis (up to 100 words)
  • A short creator biography (up to 50 words)
  • A DCP screening copy
  • English subtitles (Hebrew subtitles required for Israeli films)
  • Three still images from the film
  • A trailer or short clip for promotional purposes
• It is the responsibility of the entrant to ensure that films for screening are deposited at least 7 days before any scheduled screening. Failure to do so may lead to cancellation of your screening.

8. Selection, Judging, and Screening
   The competition adheres to transparency and fairness in the selection and judging process.

Selection Committee:

• A diverse panel of at least three members with expertise in animation and related fields will select the films.
• Selected films will be officially recognized as “Official Selections.”

Judging Panel:

• An independent panel of professionals with backgrounds in animation, film, or related disciplines will select the winners.
• Judges must have no personal involvement with the competing films.

Screenings:

• Selected films will be screened up to four times during the festival and potentially at special events afterward, in coordination with the creators.

Awards:

• Awards will be determined based on available sponsorships and announced near the festival.
• Prizes will automatically be awarded to the director/creator of the film unless stated otherwise.
• In categories with multiple creators, the prize will be divided equally.

9. Publicity and Marketing

• By submitting your film, you authorize Animix to use, distribute, and share the film poster, trailer, synopsis, and movie stills for publicity and marketing purposes.

10. Entry Fees

• Only completed entries with paid submission fees will be processed and considered for the Official Selection.
• Entry fees are non-refundable. In the event of festival cancellation or postponement due to unforeseen circumstances, submission fees cannot be refunded.

11. Final Notes

• • Participation in the competition constitutes full agreement with the regulations.

• The festival reserves the right to update the regulations at any time.

• The festival reserves the right to adjust submission deadlines, notification dates, or screening schedules in response to extenuating circumstances.