The Fredrikstad Animation Festival (FAF) announced that its 30th edition, in October 2026, will feature an official jury from the International Federation of Film Critics (Fipresci). This is the first time that this federation of critics has established a specific jury for an animation festival. The festival director, Anders Narverud Moen, stated that this collaboration will give greater international visibility to the event and to filmmakers from the Nordic and Baltic region.
Technology brings specialized criticism to new genres 🎬
Fipresci's decision responds to a call to form a network of critics with knowledge in animation, a growing field. Digitalization and global access to animated productions have made it easier for critics to follow and analyze works from around the world. This technical specialization allows for more informed evaluations that consider not only the narrative, but also digital creation processes, conceptual art, and innovation in animation software.
Animated cartoons can finally have reviews with long words 🤓
It is an important step. Now, along with reviews that analyze long takes and symbolism in black-and-white dramas, we will be able to read in-depth analyses about the texture of a CGI character's fur or the existential philosophy behind a talking rabbit. Animated filmmakers will no longer only compete for awards for best character design, but also for recognition from someone who writes using terms like diegetic and mise-en-scène without batting an eye. Animation puts on a tie.