The 8th ANIMAFILM International Animation Festival Announces its Program and Ticket Sales!

The 8th ANIMAFILM International Animation Festival will take place from September 3–7, 2025, in Baku, at the Nizami Cinema Center, the Shirvanshahs’ Palace Complex, and the Animation House. Hurry to get your tickets on the iTicket platform!

This year, the theme of the 8th ANIMAFILM Festival is “Cats”. Combining creativity with compassion, a portion of our ticket sales will be donated to local initiatives that support the welfare of cats. In connection with the theme, the official festival trailer, “Where Are These Cats Going?”, created by ANIMAFILM Studio and students of the ANIMAFILM School, has been released.

8th ANIMAFILM International Animation Festival Program

Competition Program:

This year, the festival received 317 films from 62 countries in 4 international and 1 local category. After evaluating all submissions, the selection committee approved 39 films from 20 countries for the competition. Of these, 10 films will compete in the local category, while 29 will compete in international categories. All selected films will be judged by an international jury and audiences, and the winners will be awarded at the festival’s closing ceremony.

• Best Short Animated Film – GRAND PRIX (18+).
• Best Azerbaijani Short Animated Film (8+).
• Best Short Student Animated Film (16+).
• Best Short Animated Film for Children (5+).
• Best Short Animated Film About Cats (18+).

Non-Competition Program:

• Opening Ceremony (18+). INVITATION ONLY.
• 2025 OSCAR Specials (18+). A showcase of internationally acclaimed animated films.
• Skwigly x ANIMAFILM: All About Cats (18+). A special selection curated by British animation producer Aaron Wood, dedicated to the mysterious and playful world of cats.
• “Tales from the Magic Garden” (5+). Step into a spellbinding realm where wonder blooms and stories come alive, enchanting both young dreamers and the young at heart.
• KYNO x ANIMAFILM: “Akira” (18+). Experience the visionary anime masterpiece on the grand screen once more, in all its electrifying glory.

Professional Program:

• 1st ANIMAFILM Pitching Competition (15+).
• ANIMAFILM School: First Steps into the World of Stop-Motion! (15+). Masterclass with Ayan Novruz.
• Making of: “Boom-Boom” (12+). Presentation by director Nazrin Agamaliyeva and her team on the journey of the animated film from idea to screen.
• ANIMAFILM School: Storycrafting for Animation! (15+). Masterclass with Matthew Lyon.

Accompanying Program:

• Skwigly Quiz (18+). Test your animation knowledge with Aaron Wood from Skwigly Animation Magazine, answer questions, and win prizes. FREE ENTRANCE.
• Dynamic Box: Game Showcase (18+). Every ANIMAFILM ticket holder can play video games curated by Dynamic Box at the Nizami Cinema Center on September 5, 6, and 7 between 12:00–15:00.
• Animation Breakfast (16+). Every day from 09:30–11:00, join open conversations with animation professionals and enthusiasts at various locations across the city. FREE ENTRANCE.
• Animation Party (18+). INVITATION ONLY.

Organizers: Azerbaijan Animation Association and “PERI FILM” LLC.

Main Sponsors: Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Cinema Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Administration of the State Historical-Architectural Reserve “Icherisheher”.

Partners: The Embassy of the Czech Republic in Azerbaijan, Dynamic Box Studio, KYNO, Baobab, CorpoPlus, YUVA.