OIAF announces Feature Animation competition lineup for its landmark 50th anniversary

OTTAWA, On — The Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) has announced the seven films selected for its expanded Feature Animation competition. Together, the films offer a snapshot of where feature animation is today—expansive in style, global in perspective, and increasingly driven by distinct, individual voices.

The selected works will compete for the Grand Prize for Feature Animation, to be awarded by an all-Canadian jury comprising Alisi Telengut, Lillian Chan and Luc Chamberland.

In alphabetical order, this year’s competition includes:

• Girlfriends Of Father (dir. Xi Chen | China)

• Magic Atlas (dir. Xun Sun | China, Singapore)

• O Filho da Puta (Son of a Bitch) (dirs. Erica Maradona, Tania Anaya, Otto Guerra, Sávio Leite | Brazil)

• Tangles (dir. Leah Nelson | Canada, United States)

• The Orbit of Minor Satellites (dir. Christopher Sullivan | United States)

• 『劇場版モノノ怪 第三章 蛇神』 (Mononoke the Movie: Chapter III – The Curse of the Serpent) (dir. Kenji Nakamura)

• 我々は宇宙人 (We Are Aliens) (dir. Kohei Kadowaki | Japan)

Tangles adapts Sarah Leavitt’s graphic memoir into a moving animated film about Alzheimer’s disease, family and caregiving. Its voice cast includes Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Abbi Jacobson and Seth Rogen, among others.

Mononoke the Movie: Chapter III – The Curse of the Serpent brings the acclaimed Mononoke trilogy to a close. Directed by Kenji Nakamura, the film follows the Medicine Seller as he uncovers the 150-year-old secrets of the Ōoku to confront the resentful Serpent God.

“The strength of this year’s submissions is reflected in our expanded lineup of seven films,” said OIAF artistic director Chris Robinson. “Their diversity and depth—across techniques, perspectives and voices—show how much feature animation has evolved since we introduced the competition in 2002, while offering a glimpse of where it might be heading next. It feels especially fitting as OIAF celebrates 50 years of championing distinctive animated voices.”

The festival received a record 3,026 entries for its milestone edition. The Grand Prize winner for Feature Animation will be announced live by the jury at the OIAF Awards Ceremony on September 26 at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa.

About the Ottawa International Animation Festival

The Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) is one of the world’s leading animation events and North America’s oldest animation festival. It has presented screenings, exhibits, workshops, and entertainment since 1976. Attracting artists, producers, students and animation fans from around the globe, the OIAF brings together art and industry to experience world-class animated works. OIAF’s 50th celebration runs from September 23 to September 27 at venues throughout downtown Ottawa. Festival passes are on sale now.