The Cardiff Animation Festival has announced the first details of its 2026 edition, which will take place from April 23 to 26 at the Chapter Arts Centre. The program includes screenings, talks with guests like Julia Pott, a focus on Japanese cinema with the Kotatsu Festival, and the official competition of 98 short films. There will also be workshops, video game events, and the Best of the Fest Awards ceremony.
From Flipbooks to Game Engines: Techniques at the Festival 🛠️
The event covers a wide technical spectrum, from practical workshops on traditional techniques like flip-book creation and Aardman-style clay modeling, to talks focused on video game development. Creators like Pip Williamson and the The Midnight Walk team will share their processes, offering insight into the current production pipeline, where craftsmanship and digital converge in animated storytelling.
Surviving a Marathon of 98 Shorts: Recommended Training 🏃♂️
With eight thematic blocks packed with short films in competition, the festival seems like a visual endurance plan. The organizers, in a clear gesture of humanity, intersperse modeling workshops so attendees can rest their retinas and recover fine motor skills. Hydration and strategic snacks are recommended to tackle the selection, where the Audience Award is decided with the last energy available.