Cardiff Animation Festival 2026
Returning for its ninth edition, the festival will once again take over Chapter Arts Centre this April (23-26), bringing a vibrant mix of special screenings, guest speakers and events designed to inspire both industry professionals and animation lovers alike!
The festival received its highest ever number of submissions this year – over 700 films from 61 countries – with 98 short films selected for competition. These will be showcased across eight themed programmes, featuring shorts that tell true stories, moments of calm, unusual worlds, Welsh work, and a screening suitable for the whole family to enjoy!
Highlights include Julia Pott, the celebrated LA‑based British animator and illustrator known for her work on Adventure Time and as the creator of the Peabody‑ and Emmy‑nominated Summer Camp Island. The programme also features a Japanese feature film focus in collaboration with Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival, with special screenings of The Last Blossom and 100 Metres, offering a window into contemporary independent 2D animation from Japan.
CAF will also spotlight the best in games, with events featuring Pip Williamson, 2D Animator on the BAFTAⓇ‑winning British video game Thank Goodness You’re Here, who will share insights into the making of the hit title. Klaus Lyngeled and Olov Redmalm of Moonhood will also join the programme to discuss The Midnight Walk, their BAFTAⓇ‑nominated stop‑motion horror VR game. An accompanying exhibition will give festival‑goers the chance to play a selection of games and see the original puppets from The Midnight Walk up close.
A series of workshops will run throughout the festival, offering hands‑on creative fun including Aardman model‑making sessions, The Print Haus animated flip‑book workshops, and a special session with Academy AwardⓇ‑nominee Joanna Quinn.
Bringing the festival to a close, the annual ‘Best of the Fest Awards’ will take place on Sunday 26 April, hosted by Radio 1 film critic and animation enthusiast Ali Plumb. The event will round up the weekend’s highlights with interactive elements – including an animation‑themed quiz – before presenting awards for Best Short, Best Student Short, Best Micro Short, the Young Jury Award and the Audience Award.