Japanese Animation Takes the Spotlight at Ottawa International Animation Festival 2026

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Japanese animation is getting real room at one of the world's biggest animation festivals this year — not just as a guest, but as part of the main program.

The Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF), marking its 50th anniversary, runs September 23–27, 2026, in Ottawa, Canada.

Japanese and Japan-Connected Works in Competition

The official selection includes "Little Boarlet" (ちいさなうりぼう) by Atsushi Wada (Japan), "Eri" by Honami Yano (Japan/France), and "Five Orphans" by Sarina Nihei (France/Japan/Germany) — independent short works rather than mainstream commercial anime.

Connecting Japanese Animators to the World

A dedicated program, "New Way, New World: Connecting Japanese Animators to the World," is scheduled for Sunday, September 27, at 11:00, focused on linking Japan's independent animation scene with international audiences.

The festival's feature competition also includes Mononoke the Movie: Chapter III – The Curse of the Serpent, giving commercial anime and independent short film space in the same event.

Visitor Details

OIAF 2026 runs September 23–27, 2026, in Ottawa, Canada. "New Way, New World" screens Sunday, September 27, at 11:00.

What To Know

Fans familiar mainly with TV anime can encounter another side of Japanese animation through short films, independent creators and international competition.

Japan's animation ecosystem includes independent filmmakers and experimental artists alongside major anime studios.

What Fans Are Saying

Original Japanese

Easy Japanese

「オタワ国際アニメーション映画祭」が、9月23日から27日までカナダで開かれます。日本の作家の作品も上映されます。