Competition Schedule
1. Call for Entries
The competition welcomes Filipino students (Senior High School and College), professional animators, content creators, and Filipino companies, irrespective of their residency status in the Philippines.
Individuals with Filipino lineage is also eligible. Submission will open on 05 September 2025 (Friday)
4. Eligibility Announcement
After completing the submission and selcetion process, entrants will be notified if their entries are eligible for competition.
13 October 2025 (Monday)
7. Final Judging
A panel of esteemed professionals from the fields of animation, film, media, arts, and production will review the presentations of the Top 10 Finalists and determine the winners from the Official Selection. The final evaluation phase will take place from 24 October 2025 (Saturday).
2. Submission Deadline
Entries will only be accepted from 18 August to 27 September, 11:59PM
5. Pre-selection
A pre-judging selection panel made up of Industry members, will review the eligible entries and deliberate on the Official Selection composed of 10 entries who will be in the running for the competition awards. Pre-selection period will be from 13-18 October 2025.
8. Creative Awards Ceremony
The Creative Awards Ceremony is an event where outstanding entries are recognized and honored. It celebrates the top submissions, presenting awards and accolades to the winners for their exceptional creativity and innovation.
26 November 30, 2025 (Wednesday) at the Samsung Hall, SM Aura Premier, Taguig City, Philippines
3. Screening Selection
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The Animahenasyon Committee will review and qualify entries during the initial phase from 02 - 03 October 2025
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All qualified entries will be further evaluated by the members of ACPI from 04 October 2025.
6. Official Selection Announcement
The Official Selection Announcement reveals the chosen Top 10 finalists for the competition. This announcement highlights the works that have been selected for further evaluation or exhibition, showcasing the best submissions that meet the competition's criteria.
21 October 2025 (Tuesday)
Judging Criteria
All Jury members will judge entries based on the following criteria:
Screening Selection
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Creativity and Storytelling (40%): Assess the animation concept, including the storyline, character description, and overall artistic approach
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Technical execution (30%): Evaluate the technical proficiency demonstrated in animation techniques such as movement, character design, background art, and use of effects.
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Overall Impact and Impressions (30%): Consider the overall impression the animation leaves on the viewer, including its ability to evoke emotions, inspire thought, or entertain.
Pre-Judging and Final Panel Selection
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Creativity and Storytelling (20%): Assess of the animation concept, including the storyline, character description, and overall artistic approach
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Technical Quality and Production Value (40%): Evaluate the technical execution of the animation, including animation fluidity, character movements, background details, and overall visual polish.
Evaluate the overall production quality. -
Narrative Clarity (20%): Assess the clarity and coherence of the animation's storyline or message. Consider how effectively the narrative is communicated through visuals, dialogue.
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Engagement and Entertainment Value (20%): Assess how engaging and entertaining the animation is for its intended audience. Consider its ability to evoke emotions, capture attention, or leave a lasting impression.
Awards and Prizes
Awards come with a certificate, a trophy, cash prizes, and special gifts.
![Animahenasyon2025 - Festival Laurel [Grand Prize-Professional].png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/292961_8fc3e9dfa21448deba96397a1ead1346~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_235,h_143,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Animahenasyon2025%20-%20Festival%20Laurel%20%5BGrand%20Prize-Professional%5D.png)
![Animahenasyon2025 - Festival Laurel [Grand Prize-Student].png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/292961_bdf9c9d1e34b47b2a5941c92d6a515ac~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_235,h_143,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Animahenasyon2025%20-%20Festival%20Laurel%20%5BGrand%20Prize-Student%5D.png)
![Animahenasyon2025 - Festival Laurel [The John Martin Award].png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/292961_2a9f3ac1508c40fc90e8ad01d2e8c684~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_235,h_143,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Animahenasyon2025%20-%20Festival%20Laurel%20%5BThe%20John%20Martin%20Award%5D.png)
![Animahenasyon2025 - Festival Laurel [Audience Choice Award].png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/292961_039136ac70e8472e8588adc836c08e06~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_235,h_143,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Animahenasyon2025%20-%20Festival%20Laurel%20%5BAudience%20Choice%20Award%5D.png)
The ANI Club Membership Card is a special Loyalty Program of the Animation Council of the Philippines (ACPI) designed for frequent ANIMAHENASYON subscribers.
What is Animahenasyon?
Animahenasyon festival is the Filipino equivalent of animagination, as a result of combining the words “animation” and “imagination” (imahenasyon). It is also about the image (imahe) that we want to portray as a nation (nasyon) of animators to the world. But Animahenasyon is more than just a showcase of what the Filipino animators can do. It is really a harvest (ani) of the Filipino talent and creativity. It is a celebration of the Philippine animation industry.
(Imagination)
Animation + Imahenasyon
(Harvest)
(Image)
(Nation)
Ani + Imahe + Nasyon
Objectives:
Animahenasyon festival serves as a venue for Filipino animators to present their world-class ideas, to open doors of opportunities, and a chance for them to meet and be inspired by the finest names in the industry. Specifically, Animahenasyon festival aims to:
Develop the Philippine animation industry and promote its brand in the global animation scene;
Provide a venue for exchange among animators, producers, industry supporters, investors, stakeholders and other possible business networking, and matching opportunities;
Provide access to locally produced animation content in markets here and abroad;
Address issues & concerns, discuss and set the direction for the development of the animation industry through international and business conferences forums; and
Encourage potential talents to explore the career opportunities available in the industry and hone their skills through competition.
Promote awareness on the history of the Philippine animation industry.
History:
For the last 30 years, the Philippines has been a favorite outsourcing destination for animation. Countless international companies have trusted the handiworks of the Filipino animators, and we have not failed them. But when we begin asking ourselves, “What is our own brand of animation? What is the Filipino identity of animation?” We cannot give an immediate reply. We don’t even have a direct translation or an equivalent for the word “animation.”
Animahenasyon festival is an attempt to answer these questions. It is ACPI’s way of saying that the Philippines is not just about being an outsourcing destination for animation, but it can also be an excellent source of original content and high-quality animation.
This event is an annual Filipino animation festival that features the different animation works of both aspiring and professional animators in the country through a competition. To further advocate continued learning and development on the arts and craft of animation, a series of symposium and interaction between international guest animators with local animators and students were conducted. Also part of the festival is the exhibit of the works of this year’s lifetime achievement awardee.
Ready to take the leap?
Ready to join the fun?
Co-presented by:
Government Partners:
Embassies and Organization Partner
Industry Partners
Learning Institution Partners
Film Screening Partners
