ANNOUNCING THE 8TH ANIMAFILM INTERNATIONAL ANIMATION FESTIVAL PROGRAM!

The 8th ANIMAFILM International Animation Festival will be held in Baku on September 3-7, 2025, at the Nizami Cinema Center, the Shirvanshahs Palace Complex and the Animation House. The theme of the 8th ANIMAFILM Festival is “cats”. In this festival, where we combine creativity with compassion, a portion of our ticket sales will be donated to local initiatives related to cat welfare. The official festival trailer, “Where are these cats going?”, was also presented by students of ANIMAFILM Studio and ANIMAFILM School in connection with the theme.
The festival received 317 films from 62 countries in 4 international and 1 local category. The selection committee considered 39 films from 20 countries to participate in the competition. Of these, 10 films will compete in local and 29 films in international categories. All selected films will be evaluated by international juries and audiences, and the winners will be awarded at the closing ceremony of the festival.

Best Short Animated Film - GRAND PRIX (18+).
Best Azerbaijani Short Animated Film (8+).
Best Student Short Animated Film (16+).
Best Short Animated Film for Children (5+).
Best Short Animated Film about Cats (18+)

Out of Competition Program:
Opening Ceremony (18+). ENTRY BY INVITATION.
2025 OSCAR Selections (18+). Screening of highly acclaimed animated films worldwide.
Skwigly x ANIMAFILM: All About Cats (18+). Special screening dedicated to the mysterious and playful world of cats, curated by British animation producer Aaron Wood.
“Tales from the Magic Garden” (5+). A full-length animated film that opens the doors to the world of fairy tales with its magical atmosphere, suitable for young and old audiences.
KYNO x ANIMAFILM: “Akira” (18+). The legendary anime masterpiece will meet the audience again on the big screen.

Program for professionals:
ANIMAFILM School: The first step into the world of stop-motion! (15+). Master class with Ayan Novruz.
Making of: “Bum-Bum” (12+). Presentation of the animated film “Bum-Bum” director Nazrin Aghamaliyeva and her team about the film’s path from idea to production.
ANIMAFILM School: Create a story for animation! (15+). Master class with Matthew Lyon.
1st ANIMAFILM Pitching Competition (15+).

Observer program:
Skwigly Quiz (18+). Test your animation knowledge with Aaron Wood from the animation magazine Skwigly, answer questions and win prizes. ADMISSION IS FREE.
Dynamic Box: Game Showcase (18+). Every ANIMAFILM ticket holder can play computer games curated by Dynamic Box at the Nizami Cinema Center on September 5, 6, 7 from 12:00 to 15:00 during the festival.
Animation Breakfast (16+). Open discussions with animation professionals and enthusiasts every day from 09:30 to 11:00 in various locations around the city. ENTRANCE IS FREE.
Animation Party (18+). ENTRANCE BY INVITATION.

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

Main Sponsors of the Festival: Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Film Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Icherisheher State Historical and Architectural Reserve Administration.

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