Animation Is Film’s 2026 Lineup Includes ‘Tangles,’ ‘Iron Boy,’ ‘Hexed’ and More

Animation Is Film, the prestigious animation festival, is set to take place in Hollywood from October 16-19. This year's lineup features both independent and mainstream animated features, as well as several notable shorts.

Among the high-profile films are Walt Disney Animation's "Hexed" and Paramount's theatrical screening of "Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender," which previously moved to Paramount+. Other highlights include the world premiere of Dana Terrace's new series "Knights of Guinevere" and Matt Braly's independently financed project "Clara and the Below," a dark reimagining of "The Nutcracker."

Animation Is Film is often regarded as a predictor of award-winning animated features, with past highlights including Louis Clichy's "Iron Boy," Leah Nelson's Cannes favorite "Tangles," and Cartoon Saloon's "Julian," which also played at TIFF. Other anticipated screenings feature "Jim Queen," the popular gay film from Cannes and Annecy, the North American premiere of Shingo Natsume's "Ghost - End of Night," and the Annecy Cristal winner "The Violinist."

CITIA CEO Mickael Marin expressed excitement about the festival's role in bringing international talent to Los Angeles. The festival will also include studio presentations, like Disney's upcoming release "Hexed," a talk with Cartoon Saloon founders on their 25th anniversary, a short film program, and a retrospective screening of Yoshiaki Kawajiri's cult classic "Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust."

Industry panels, including "Inside Animation" in partnership with UTA, will delve into the current state of animation, discussing trends, representation, and the breaking through of new voices and projects. The event is made possible by the support of various animation industry leaders, including ASIFA-Hollywood, Crunchyroll, DreamWorks Animation, Illumination, Netflix, Nickelodeon, Pixar, Sony Pictures Animation, and more.