stop motion our fest (10)

Festival Start: 19 Juli 2027      Festival Ende: 25 Juli 2027

SMOF is one of the most important animation festivals in Latin America, based in Argentina and with a strong focus on stop motion and independent animation. Approaching its tenth anniversary, SMOF has become a key meeting point for filmmakers, producers, artists, students, studios, institutions and audiences from across Latin America and around the world.

SMOF goes beyond the traditional framework of a film festival. Its work brings together three main areas: the International Animation Festival, the Latin American Stop Motion Project Lab, and Núcleo LATAM – Latin American Animation Market. Together, these programs connect exhibition, training, project development and industry exchange, creating opportunities for films to circulate, projects to grow and new professional collaborations to emerge.

The Latin American Stop Motion Project Lab is dedicated to projects in development from across the region. Through an intensive mentoring program, selected filmmakers work with leading national and international professionals on different aspects of their projects, including directing, production, screenwriting, art direction, animation and strategies for development and international presentation. The Lab has become an important space for identifying and supporting new projects and voices in Latin American animation.

Núcleo LATAM – Latin American Animation Market extends this work into the professional and industry sector. It brings together projects, producers, studios, institutions and animation professionals, generating meetings and exchanges aimed at creating opportunities for co-production, financing, circulation and international collaboration.

Every year, SMOF also presents an extensive program of international and Latin American film competitions, screenings, masterclasses, intensive workshops, industry panels, exhibitions, seminars, professional meetings, talks and conferences, featuring leading figures in animation from Argentina, Latin America and other parts of the world.

Education and access have been central to SMOF since its beginnings. A significant part of its program is offered free of charge, facilitating access to high-level professional training and international exchange for students, emerging filmmakers, independent professionals and wider audiences.

The 2026 edition marked an important expansion for the festival. SMOF took place across 17 venues in the city and province of Buenos Aires, including cinemas, cultural spaces, universities and screening venues. Nearly 100 animated short films were presented throughout the week, reaching thousands of spectators, alongside an extensive program of professional and educational activities.

Through its Festival, Project Lab and Núcleo LATAM Market, SMOF has built a distinctive position within the Latin American animation field, connecting the circulation of films with the development of new projects, professional training and opportunities for regional and international collaboration.

With a strong base in Argentina and an increasingly international reach, SMOF works to create meaningful connections between Latin American animation and the international community, while giving visibility to new voices, projects and ways of creating animation.

CATEGORIES AND AWARDS

In its 10th edition, SMOF will present 13 official awards:

International Stop-Motion Competition:

- SMOF Grand Prize for Best International Stop-Motion Short Film
- Best Director
- Best Screenplay
- Best Art Direction
- Best Animation Direction

Latin American Stop-Motion Competition:

- SMOF Grand Prize for Best Latin American Stop-Motion Short Film
- Best Director
- Best Screenplay
- Best Art Direction
- Best Animation Direction

The Latin American Competition includes works from countries in Latin America, including Argentina.

Other Categories:

- Best Animated Documentary Short Film (Works created using 2D, 3D, stop-motion, and mixed media techniques will be accepted).

- Best Commissioned Work (music videos, series, and commercials made using stop motion).

- Audience Award for Best Short Film

Winning entries will receive a diploma and the Festival’s official statuette.

Independent Awards:

In addition to the official SMOF awards, Independent Awards may be granted by audiovisual institutions and organizations outside the Festival.

SMOF – Stop Motion Our Fest
10th Edition | July 19–25, 2027

SMOF – Stop Motion Our Fest opens the call for entries for its 10th edition, which will take place from July 19 to 25, 2027, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The call is open to animated works, with a special focus on stop motion, in accordance with the categories and conditions established in these regulations.

Selected works will become part of SMOF’s Official Selection and will be screened during the Festival.

CATEGORIES AND AWARDS

For its 10th edition, SMOF will present 13 official awards:

International Stop Motion Competition:
- SMOF Grand Prize for Best International Stop Motion Short Film
- Best Director
- Best Screenplay
- Best Art Direction
- Best Animation Direction

Latin American Stop Motion Competition:
- SMOF Grand Prize for Best Latin American Stop Motion Short Film
- Best Director
- Best Screenplay
- Best Art Direction
- Best Animation Direction

The Latin American Competition is open to works from Latin American countries, including Argentina.

Other Categories:

- Best Animated Documentary Short Film (Works made using 2D, 3D, stop motion and other animation techniques are eligible)
- Best Commissioned Work (Stop motion music videos, series and commercials are eligible)
- Audience Award for Best Short Film

ELIGIBILITY AND SUBMISSION RULES

The call is open to participants aged 18 and over. Works may be submitted individually or collectively. All audiovisual works submitted must also have been made by individuals aged 18 or over.

Submitted works must be original, and entrants must hold all necessary rights for their participation and screening at the Festival.

Works completed from 2025 up to the submission deadline are eligible, provided they have not been submitted to any previous edition of SMOF.

Mixed-technique works are eligible for the stop motion categories provided that at least 70% of the animation has been created using stop motion techniques.

Works created entirely or partially using Artificial Intelligence will not be accepted. By submitting a work, the entrant declares that it complies with this requirement.

The official language of the Festival is Spanish. Works containing dialogue in other languages must include Spanish or English subtitles, or be accompanied by the corresponding subtitle file.

Entrants whose works have been selected will be notified by email on May 2, 2027. The Official Selection will also be announced through SMOF’s official channels and social media.

Submitted works may also be considered for Non-Competitive Programs. Entrants who do not wish their films to be considered for these programs must indicate this by checking the corresponding box on the submission form.

- SMOF does not pay screening fees for works included in its Official Selection, whether competitive or non-competitive.

- Once participation of a selected work has been confirmed, the work may not be withdrawn from the program until the Festival has concluded.

- SMOF does not cover travel, airfare or accommodation expenses for the filmmakers of selected works.

- During the selection process, the Festival may give special consideration to works that have not yet premiered in Argentina.

- Submission to and participation in SMOF imply full acceptance of these rules and conditions.

SUBMISSION PERIOD

Submissions will be open from September 15, 2026, through March 1, 2027.

Entrants whose works are included in the Official Selection will be notified on May 2, 2027.

JURIES

The juries will be composed of distinguished animation professionals from Argentina and other countries.

The awards for the International Stop Motion Competition, Latin American Stop Motion Competition, Animated Documentary and Commissioned Work categories will be determined by juries appointed by SMOF.

The decisions of the juries are final.

The Audience Award for Best Short Film will be determined by a vote of Festival audiences.

AWARDS

SMOF will present the 13 official awards listed in these regulations.

Winning works will receive an official SMOF trophy and diploma.

Independent Awards

In addition to SMOF’s official awards, Independent Awards may be presented by audiovisual institutions and organizations external to the Festival.

TOURING SCREENINGS

Following the Festival, and with the prior consultation and authorization of the filmmaker or rights holder, SMOF may invite selected short films to participate in its Touring Screening Programs.

These screenings may take place in Argentina or other countries, organized by SMOF or in collaboration with third parties. All such screenings will be free of charge and held exclusively for cultural and/or educational purposes.

COPYRIGHT

By submitting a work, the entrant declares that they hold all rights and authorizations necessary for its screening within the framework of the Festival.

For works incorporating pre-existing images, music, sounds or other materials, responsibility for the use of such materials rests solely with the entrant.

Entrants shall be responsible for any third-party claims relating to copyright, inclusion rights, performers’ rights, production credits or any other rights associated with materials used in the submitted work.