ANIMAFILM International Animation Festival
The 9th ANIMAFILM International Animation Festival will take place from May 13 to 17, 2026, at the Nizami Cinema Center and the “Surakhani” Ship-Museum.
The main theme of the 9th ANIMAFILM Festival is “The Sea”. Through the vast visual and creative possibilities offered by animation, we will explore the boundlessness of the sea, its vital importance in nature, and its power to bring people together. This universal theme not only raises ecological awareness but also invites audiences on an unforgettable journey into the enchanting underwater world and the deep, captivating stories connected to it.
The 9th ANIMAFILM International Animation Festival is organized by the Azerbaijan Animation Association and “ANIMAFILM” LLC, with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
ANIMAFILM International Animation Festival
The ANIMAFILM festival promotes creativity through animated cinema. We believe that animated films can bring people together and create significant changes in our society. Since 2018, ANIMAFILM has evolved into a true platform that we organize annually. The festival unites children, young people, animation directors, and studios, introducing them to international experience, connecting them with professional local and foreign animation experts, screening hundreds of animated films, and hosting masterclasses, conferences, concerts, performances, and exhibitions. The festival program includes local and international competitions, non-competitive screenings, professional sessions, and accompanying events.
Regional animation festivals have become a tradition to encourage the development of animation cinema and industry in different regions. In 2021, “ANIMAFILM in Sheki”, in 2023, “ANIMAFILM in Nakhchivan”, in 2024, “ANIMAFILM in Lankaran”, in 2025, “ANIMAFILM in Ganja”, “ANIMAFILM in Lankaran”, “ANIMAFILM in Khankendi”, “ANIMAFILM in Lachin”, in 2026, “ANIMAFILM in Ganja” were organised.
In 2024, the ANIMAFILM International Animation Festival was included in the “BAFTA Festivals List” by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.
Organizers: Azerbaijan Animation Association, ANIMAFILM LLC
Festival Director: Rashid Aghamaliyev
Executive Director: Sarkhan Najiyev
Contact: animafilm.biaf@gmail.com
