Under the slogan "Freedom"

From 24 to 31 October 2026, Valencia will host the 14th edition of the International Festival of New Talent in Animation, Prime the Animation!, which this year is being held under the theme "Freedom".

In this latest edition, the festival invites us to reflect on independence in the creative process, the diversity of voices and the richness that emerges when each creator develops their personal vision free from external constraints. Freedom is understood here as the driving force behind innovation, diversity and human connection.

The opening ceremony will take place on 24 October at the Filmoteca Valenciana in collaboration with the Goethe-Institut, featuring a screening of the film *The Adventures of Prince Ahmed* by the German filmmaker Lotte Reiniger, marking the 100th anniversary of its first screening. The screening will be accompanied by live music performed by Sonia Megías.

Competition Awards

The short films will compete for the following awards:

• Best International Short Film: a trophy and €1,300, awarded by the Cañada Blanch Foundation.

• Best Experimental Short Film: a trophy and a Dragonframe licence (stop-motion software with a USB keyboard).

• Best National Short Film: a trophy and two licences for Moho professional software.

• Audience Award: a trophy and a licence for Moho professional software.

• Diploma for Best Project (2 projects): a diploma and professional accreditation for MIFA (Annecy, France).

• Gifafío Diploma (UPV Animation Club): a diploma and an Animation Club kit.

• Best Poster for the short films in the competition: a prize awarded by the UPV Master's in Design and Illustration.

A selection of animated opening sequences created by various schools across the country will also be screened.

The winning short films will be shown at the festival's closing ceremony on 31 October at 7.30 pm at the Filmoteca Valenciana (free admission, tickets to be collected at the box office or booked online).

Screening of the official selection

Screenings of the short films in competition will take place during morning sessions in the auditorium of the UPV's Faculty of Fine Arts on 28, 29 and 30 October. Each programme will last approximately 50 minutes, and feature works that explore a variety of techniques, visual styles and narratives. Following each screening, there will be talks with industry professionals.

The competition programmes will also be screened during afternoon sessions at the SGAE Hall, Centre Cultural València, on 26, 27 and 28 October.

Cañas y Frames: portfolio reviews and RED FAN screening

On Thursday 29 October, one-to-one meetings will take place, with registration open on the festival's website. In addition, a networking area with drinks and refreshments will be set up to encourage collaboration amongst participants. The day will conclude with a screening of animated shorts from RED FAN.

Professional workshop: project pitches.

On Saturday 31 October, in the auditorium at CaixaForum Valencia, the 6 projects selected from over 25 proposals will be presented. The creators will give a pitch to industry professionals, who will offer feedback. The two winning projects will receive professional accreditation for MIFA (Annecy, France), thanks to the collaboration with NonStop Barcelona Animació.

Venues and tickets

The festival venues are: the UPV Faculty of Fine Arts, the IVC Film Library, the SGAE Hall at the València Cultural Centre, the CaixaForum Auditorium, and the Nave3 Ribes Cultural Centre.

A festival for new talent

More than just a professional event, Prime the Animation! is a platform to boost young creators in the world of animation. The RED FAN programme will screen works by emerging filmmakers from Portugal, Italy, Greece, Cyprus and Spain.

Prime the Animation! is the only international festival in Spain dedicated exclusively to new talent and debut works in animated film. This year, 28 countries are taking part in the short film competition, consolidating the festival's position as a space for creative exchange and professional development.

Organised by the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), with funding from the UPV's Vice-rectorate for Art, Science, Technology and Society, in collaboration with the Cañada Blanch Foundation; in partnership with the Valencian Film Archive (IVC), the Nave3 Ribes Cultural Centre of Valencia City Council, CaixaForum Valencia, the Faculty of Fine Arts, the Goethe-Institut, the Drawing Department, the UPV Master's in Animation, the UPV Animation Group and the UPV Design Factory.