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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tampa Animation Festival Returns November 6–9, 2025: A Global Celebration of Animated Storytelling
TAMPA, FL — [October 30, 2025] — The University of Tampa’s Department of Film, Animation and New Media proudly announces the Tampa Animation Festival (TAF) 2025, taking place November 6–9 at the Charlene Gordon Theater, located inside the Ferman Center for the Arts (214 N Blvd, Tampa, FL).
The festival showcases the power and diversity of animation as a global art form, presenting over 140 films from 38 countries across narrative, experimental, documentary, and student categories, including Academy Award–nominated films. All screenings are free and open to the public, with tickets available through Eventbrite.
“The Tampa Animation Festival celebrates animation not only as an art form, but as a space where storytelling, design, and technology intersect,” said Gregg Perkins, Festival Director and Chair of the Department of Film, Animation, and New Media. “This year’s program brings together international filmmakers, students, and professionals to share new visions for what animation can be.”
Global Reach and Local Collaboration
The 2025 festival features work from renowned animation programs, including CalArts, Gobelins, Ringling College, RISD, SCAD, RIT, Sheridan College, and The University of Tampa, among others. Participating nations span five continents, including France, Japan, Brazil, Finland, Nigeria, and Australia.
The festival also partners with Toon Boom Animation, the industry leader in 2D animation software, to provide Harmony and Storyboard Pro licenses to award winners in categories such as Best Animated Short, Best Student Animation, and Audience Choice.
Guest Speakers and Special Events
The 2025 edition welcomes featured speakers Rebecca Crose, Ricardo Bernardini, and Shengwei Zhou, who will discuss storytelling, visual development, and the future of animation pipelines.
Additional special programming includes themed blocks such as Kids/Family Friendly, It’s a Stop-Motion World After All, French Day: Animations from France, and It’s Raining Cats & Dogs.
Festival Team
The Tampa Animation Festival is led by Festival Director Gregg Perkins, with Festival Programmer Derek Horne, who programmed the entire festival.
Santiago Echeverry, Professor of Film, Animation and New Media, designs all media, conducts international outreach, artist relations, and cross-disciplinary programming.
Dana Corrigan, Assistant Professor of Animation at the University of Tampa, oversees festival coordination and industry partnerships and guest speakers.
Warren Cockerham, Technical Director, brings years of experience in film festival programming and technical presentation in the Charlene Gordon Theater.
Together, the team ensures a seamless, world-class experience for filmmakers and audiences alike.
Event Access
All screenings and panels are free, but space is limited. Tickets are available now through the official Eventbrite page:
https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/tampa-animation-festival-2025-4770223
Follow the festival on social media for the latest updates:
Instagram: @tampaanimationfestival
TikTok: @tampaanimationfest
Facebook: Tampa Animation Festival
About the Tampa Animation Festival
The Tampa Animation Festival is presented by the University of Tampa’s Department of Film, Animation, and New Media. Founded to celebrate creativity and innovation in global animation, TAF connects artists, students, and audiences through screenings, talks, and community collaborations. The festival promotes Tampa Bay as a growing hub for filmmaking, animation and the media arts.
Press Contact:Gregg Perkins
Festival Director, Tampa Animation Festival
Chair, Department of Film, Animation and New Media
hello@tampaanimationfestival.com
www.tampaanimationfestival.com