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Call for submissions: Squeaky Wheel’s 23rd Animation Fest!

June 26 @ 12:00 am11:59 pm EDT
Documentation from the 20th Animation Fest retrospective at North Park Theater. A projection in a darkened movie theater. On the screen is the word "Filmmakers!", which is from Helen Hill's 2004 short film "Madame Winger Makes a Film: A Survival Guide for the 21st Century"

Deadline: June 26, 2026, 11:59 PM
Notification Date: August 22, 2026

Squeaky Wheel announces the call for submissions for our annual Animation Fest!  Celebrating its 23rd year, we are proud to continue a festival showcasing short films and artworks made in a diverse variety of animation techniques, including stop-motion, claymation, 3D animation, hand-painted film, motion graphics, and more. All genres are welcome. Past festivals have showcased work from both emerging and established artists.

The 23rd Animation Fest will be held online and in-person on Friday, December 4 2026 at the Buffalo AKG Art Museum. Films in the virtual program will be accessible for 24 hours thereafter for general audiences, and 72 hours for Squeaky Wheel members. If selected, you will be asked for a downloadable copy of your film and stills from your film.

  • Each individual submission should not exceed ~10 minutes.
  • There is no submission fee.
  • All selected artists will receive a screening fee of $100 per selected film. (International applicants must have a PayPal account to receive their screening fee).
  • All selected artists will receive a one year membership to Squeaky Wheel.
  • Multiple submissions per artist are accepted.
  • Films must have been completed within the past ~2 years.

Artists who face systemic and structural barriers are encouraged to apply. Please direct any questions about the application process and your submissions to office@squeaky.org with the subject “Animation Fest”

Click here to submit your films

Image description: Documentation from the 20th Animation Fest retrospective at North Park Theater. A projection in a darkened movie theater. On the screen is the word “Filmmakers!”, which is from Helen Hill’s 2004 short film Madame Winger Makes a Film: A Survival Guide for the 21st Century.

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Squeaky Wheel’s programs are made possible with major support by Teiger Foundation, the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, the County of Erie and County Executive Mark Poloncarz, and The Children's Guild Foundation. Our programs would not be possible without the support of members, businesses, and individual supporters such as yourself.
The logos of Teiger Foundation, The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, The New York State Council on the Arts, the seal of Erie County, and the logo of the Children's Guild Foundation.
Squeaky Wheel Film & Media Art Center
2495 Main Street, Suite 310, Buffalo, NY, 14214
(716) 884-7172
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