Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) Woos Audience with Power-Packed Lineup
Key Points:
- OIAF has unveiled its roster of five animated feature films chosen for this year’s Official Competition.
- The competition features a solid representation of emerging talent and international festival circuit laureates.
- All five selected films will be vying for the coveted Grand Prize for Feature Animation.
- Jury committee includes notable figures like Chris Lavis (Canada), Dr… and more.
The Animation Game is Strong in Ottawa!
Whoa! Talk about rolling out the animation red carpet! It seems this isn’t just an ordinary film viewing – it’s the animation Olympics! We’ve got the rising stars and established laureates of the animation world, all in one place, hoping to take home the coveted Grand Prize for Feature Animation. No pressure? Not exactly.
Each of these films isn’t just vying for one award, they’re fighting for the bragging rights as ‘The Chosen One of OIAF’. And with the Jury panel packed with big names like Chris Lavis(or should I say, “Chris Labissshh” for a fancy touch), expect some serious competition, and for the animation sparks to properly fly.
So, let’s buckle up for a joyride full of fancy colors, mind-blowing creativity, and heartfelt storytelling that these animated wonders promise. Who will emerge victorious in this battle of sketches and storyboards? Only time, and the esteemed jury, will tell!
The 2025 Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) has officially announced the five remarkable animated feature films set to compete this year. Appraised for their extraordinary talent and awards from international festivals, these films will vie for the Grand Prize for Feature Animation. Honoring them is an esteemed jury comprised of Chris Lavis (Canada), Dr. Magdalena Zira (Cyprus) and Honami Yano (Japan). Take a look at the luminary features competing at OIAF 2025: Tales from the Magic Garden This year’s competition honors the evolution of animated features. With every technique from stop-motion puppets to digital cut-outs, this year’s films embody artistic bravado. At OIAF, we value originality and creativity, and it’s exciting to see explorations of philosophy, politics, poverty, and resilience in such inventive ways that break away from the conventional. Chris Robinson, Festival’s Artistic Director Highlighted in this year’s selection are recent acclaimed animations, including several films celebrated at the 2025 Annecy International Animation Film Festival. Among them is ChaO, Aoki’s highly anticipated debut feature and STUDIO4ºC project, which won the Jury Award at Annecy. Canada’s own Death Does Not Exist, the latest from acclaimed Quebec animator Dufour-Laperrière, was recognized for its unique soundtrack. Also in the competition is Tales from the Magic Garden, a captivating 3D stop-motion puppet anthology based on Arnošt Goldflam’s cherished stories Of Unwanted Things and People. Premiered at the Berlinale in 2025, it represents a labor of love spanning eight years involving directors across Central Europe. The selection is rounded up by the debut feature,The Great History of Western Philosophy, by Covamonas. Known for her Dadaist collage shorts, Covamonas has woven an audacious narrative from public domain footage and audio, featuring everyone from Socrates to Mickey Mouse. The film made its first appearance at the Rotterdam International Film Festival earlier this year. The winner of the Grand Prize for Best Animated Feature will be announced live at the exhilarating OIAF Awards Ceremony on September 27, 2025, at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa.
Original article: https://www.skwigly.co.uk/international-award-winners-and-rising-stars-lead-feature-competition-at-oiaf/