WHAT WE ACCEPT:

Vimeo links are preferred (password protected, please). YouTube private links are acceptable. While we accept FilmFreeway submissions, we also encourage direct platform-independent submissions.

Foreign Language Films: Must have English subtitles.

Premieres: We value exceptional animation regardless of premiere status, but a Tampa Animation Festival premiere enhances your film's programming prospects, especially for features. We're passionate about bringing fresh content to our audience. If your work has already been screened in Tampa, you're welcome to submit it - please be open about previous local and Florida screenings. Shorts receive more flexibility as outstanding animation deserves multiple audiences.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS (SELECTED FILMS)

Selected films are delivered as digital files only. We build the cinema DCPs ourselves, so you do not need to make one. Send a downloadable link (Vimeo with download enabled, Dropbox, Google Drive) or enable download in your FilmFreeway account.

Preferred master

• Apple ProRes 422 HQ in a .mov file, or a DNxHR .mxf

• 1920x1080 (2K) or 3840x2160 (4K), progressive, in your native aspect ratio

• Exactly 24, 25 or 30 frames per second (not 23.976 or 29.97), no interlacing

• Uncompressed PCM audio, 48 kHz, 24-bit, stereo or 5.1, embedded in the file or as a separate .wav

Also accepted

• MP4 (H.264 or H.265) at the same picture specs. Please include a separate 48 kHz 24-bit .wav for the audio if at all possible.

Surround sound

• 5.1 mixes are welcome. Send six mono .wav stems named L, R, C, LFE, Ls, Rs, or one six-channel .wav.

Subtitles

• Any non-English dialogue needs English subtitles. Burn them into the picture, or send an .srt file alongside the master and we will add a proper cinema subtitle track.

Stills

• High-quality promotional stills are required (film frames preferred over production photos).

File naming

• Title_Director_Length.mov, for example Tideline_JSmith_0730.mov; name any .wav or .srt the same way.

Questions about files: hello@tampaanimationfestival.com

CATEGORIES & FEES

About Categories: Animation defies simple categorization. You can select all relevant categories for your work. We celebrate pieces that challenge conventional boundaries.

Length Classifications: According to industry standards, features are over 40 minutes long, and shorts are 40 minutes or less (including credits).

Animation Criteria: We're seeking films in which movement and characters are created with 2D or 3D digital animation software, hand-drawn, stop-motion, clay, and cut-out, cameraless, or a hybrid animation technique of any of the above. If your movie is predominantly animated, could you submit it as animation? For mixed-technique pieces, please submit and put your approach in the submission notes.

SUBMISSION DEADLINES & FEES:

Submissions for the 2026 festival closed on September 21, 2026. Thank you to everyone who entered.

Notification: mid-October 2026. Event dates: November 5–8, 2026.

Dates and fees for the 2027 festival will be posted here when the next call for entries opens.

WAIVERS

• Previous festival participants receive complimentary submission (Email hello@tampanimation.com with your last screened film for submission code)

• Financial hardship considerations available upon request

• Waivers provided for filmmakers from countries under economic sanctions or in conflict zones whose work aligns with our animation focus.

TECH & SHIPPING

• Shipping to festival: Filmmaker's responsibility

• Return shipping provided via FedEx or US Mail

• Digital transfers accepted via secure file sharing services

• Advance notification required for special shipping arrangements

• Clear labeling essential on all materials

MATERIAL SECURITY

• Submission materials and links restricted to programming team access

• Contact information and links kept confidential unless consent given

CONTINGENCY PROTOCOL: HURRICANES +

The 2026 festival will be held November 5–8, 2026, at the Charlene Gordon Theatre, Ferman Center for the Arts, on the University of Tampa campus. In case of schedule or venue changes, hurricanes, or unforeseen technical issues, participants will receive immediate notification with complete transparency, and we will reschedule dates as soon as possible.