I. Entry Categories
A. Animation
Refers to dynamic image works that create motion or character performance through frame-by-frame methods, including narrative and non-narrative categories. Animated short films may be produced through hand-drawn animation, computer animation, stop-motion animation, and other frame-by-frame methods, but motion capture and real-time controlled puppet performances are not included. Animated short films should be under 30 minutes in length, with 75% of the footage produced frame-by-frame. In narrative animated shorts, the performance of major characters should be produced frame-by-frame. If the submitted work closely resembles live-action footage in final presentation, the entrant should submit additional written, image, and video materials to explain why the work complies with this category's regulations. Trailers, commercials, or excerpts from animated films or series are not eligible for this category.
B. Comics and Picture Books
Refers to non-single-image works that express a complete story or concept primarily through images, usually supplemented by text, and presented through a series of panels or images. Excerpts from existing works or commissioned advertising/promotional works are not eligible for this category.
C. Digital Art
Refers to digital artworks where the audience participates in the experiential process in some way, or short films that use digital visual effects technology for narrative expression. This category includes two directions:
Interactive Art: Works emphasizing audience participation and real-time interaction, such as virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality, and interactive installations.
Digital Intelligent Imaging: Short films (including narrative, experimental, animation, etc.) created using digital visual effects technologies such as computer-generated imagery, motion graphics, and AI-generated imagery. Excerpts from existing works or commissioned advertising/promotional works are not eligible for this category.
D. Digital Games
Refers to digital game works that operate on electronic media platforms and allow users to interact through video devices. Excerpts from existing works or commissioned advertising/promotional works are not eligible for this category.
II. Awards
A. Animation
"White Poplar Award" Best Chinese Animated Short Film (1 winner)
"White Poplar Award" Best International Animated Short Film (1 winner)
Best Animation Director Award (1 winner)
Best Animation Story Award (1 winner)
Best Visual Style Award (1 winner)
Best Character Animation Award (1 winner)
Best Music and Sound Award (1 winner)
"iQiyi Golden Petal" Best Animated Short Film Award
"iQiyi Golden Petal" Best Character Design Award
"iQiyi Golden Petal" Most Market Potential Award
B. Comics and Picture Books
Best Comic Work Award (1 winner)
Best Picture Book Work Award (1 winner)
C. Digital Art
Best Interactive Art Award (1 winner)
Best Digital Intelligent Imaging Award (1 winner)
D. Digital Games
Best Game Work Award (1 winner)
Best Game Art Award (1 winner)
III. Entry Requirements
1. Entries must be completed before September 14, 2026, including works created during the study period by students from related majors in higher education institutions (including vocational college, undergraduate, graduate, etc.), including graduation works; works co-produced by higher education institutions and enterprises (institutional works prioritized); students from the Class of 2026 are permitted to submit unfinished works during the submission stage, but once the work is shortlisted, a completed version must be submitted (failure to submit the completed version will result in disqualification).
2. Works that have participated in previous China (Beijing) International University Student Animation Festival competitions are not eligible for this year's competition.
3. Entries may be submitted individually or by teams, or collectively by institutions. There is no limit on the number of entries submitted collectively by institutions. Published works may participate in this competition, but the submission form must indicate the publication details.
4. Entries must be original works. All entrants must be the legal owners of the entries, holding full copyright, and bearing corresponding legal responsibilities. Collective works require the consent of all primary creators and authorization from the copyright holder.
5. Works that have used artificial intelligence technology must be submitted to the Digital Art category (Category C). The submission materials must specify the specific use of AI technology.
6. Entries must be healthy in content, must not violate the laws and regulations of the People's Republic of China, and plagiarism, copying, or imitating others' works is strictly prohibited. If others' works are used in the entry, legal authorization must be obtained and written proof of such authorization submitted. Otherwise, the organizing committee has the right to disqualify the entry. If the entry causes adverse effects on the event, the organizing committee will pursue legal liability.
7. By participating in this animation festival, whether individually, as a team, or collectively as an institution, entrants agree to authorize the Organizing Committee of the 21st China (Beijing) International University Student Animation Festival to use the works for public screening, exhibition, and other public displays. The authorization period is from September 14, 2026 to December 31, 2026.
IV. Jury Process
The jury process for the "White Poplar Award" of 【Aniwow!2026】 the 21st China (Beijing) International University Student Animation Festival consists of two stages: selection and judging. In the selection stage, professional selectors choose shortlisted works from all entries for public screening. In the judging stage, the jury panel selects nominations and award winners from the shortlisted works. The jury will be composed of renowned animation, comics, digital art, and game professionals, scholars, and senior management from related institutions. The evaluation process adheres to the principles of ideological content, originality, and artistic quality, and upholds fairness and impartiality.
V. Technical Requirements
1. Animation and digital short film works under Digital Art must be packaged in MP4 format, using H.264 encoding for preliminary selection. After works pass the preliminary selection, entrants must also submit ProRes 422 encoded MOV or MP4 files of the shortlisted works, with video bitrate no less than 6 Mbps, resolution no lower than 1920×1080p, audio bitrate no lower than 128 Kbps. High-quality compressed or uncompressed files are preferred.
2. Comic and picture book works must be submitted as digital files in TIFF or JPEG format, along with a PDF file of the laid-out version. Image dimensions should be no smaller than A4 paper size, with resolution no lower than 300 dpi. After works pass the preliminary selection, entrants must also submit a Chinese-English glossary of the text within the work.
3. Interactive works and games under Digital Art must submit a gameplay recording of no less than 3 minutes, or a video of the interactive process filmed on site. Minor editing and subtitles are permitted for clearer concept explanation, but conceptual showreels or promotional CG animations are not acceptable. Videos should be in MP4 format with H.264 encoding, accompanied by a PDF work description document. After works pass the preliminary selection, entrants must also submit executable files of the shortlisted works (files may be web-based interactive HTML5 pages, desktop .exe or .app, mobile APK or iOS), along with a PDF operation instruction document that includes project files and runtime environment specifications.
4. All entries must include a 50–80 word synopsis.
5. All entries must include English subtitles. Shortlisted works must submit 1 poster and 3 or more still images of the work as digital files in TIFF or JPEG format, with poster dimensions of 50x70 cm and resolution no lower than 300 dpi.
VI. Registration and Submission
This year's animation festival will implement a strict submission process to ensure all works arrive safely, are properly stored, strictly categorized, fairly evaluated, and awards duly presented. All entrants should carefully read this submission guide and submit their works correctly to avoid errors that could delay evaluation.
1. Participation in the "White Poplar Award" of 【Aniwow!2026】 the 21st China (Beijing) International University Student Animation Festival is free of charge.
2. All submissions and evaluations will be conducted through the Filmfreeway platform. Entrants should submit their works via the following link:
Filmfreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/Aniwow2026
Institutions are welcome to submit works collectively. For any submission-related questions, please contact us via email.
Official Email: aniwowcuc@163.com
3. The submission deadline is September 14, 2026. All entries should be submitted before this date.
4. The organizing committee will notify nominated and winning authors based on the information provided in the entry form, and will send certificates, trophies, and prize money. Entrants must accurately fill in the registration information. (For more detailed registration and submission instructions, please visit the official website: http://aniwow.cuc.edu.cn/)
VII. Additional Provisions
Unless otherwise specified herein:
1. The "Organizing Committee" refers to the Organizing Committee of 【Aniwow!2026】 the 21st China (Beijing) International University Student Animation Festival.
Office Address: School of Animation and Digital Art, Communication University of China
Mailing Address: Organizing Committee of China (Beijing) International University Student Animation Festival, School of Animation and Digital Art, Communication University of China, No. 1 Dingfuzhuang East Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing, P.R. China. Postcode: 100024
Tel: +86 010-65783476
Email: aniwowcuc@163.com
2. "Author" refers to the entrant who has completed registration according to the organizing committee's procedures. Authors must provide truthful personal information during registration. Although the organizing committee does not substantially verify the authenticity of user identity, users with false or invalid personal information will lose the opportunity for their works to be recommended for publication in various media.
3. "Work" refers to the entry created by the author in the format specified by the organizing committee and within the competition scope. Regardless of whether the work wins an award, the author retains copyright in accordance with the Copyright Law of the People's Republic of China.
4. "Publication" refers to making the work publicly available within the scope specified by the organizing committee. Unless otherwise specified, once published, a work cannot be withdrawn or deleted.
5. The organizing committee does not accept works that are legally prohibited from publication or dissemination, or that contain any of the following content:
a. Opposing the basic principles established by law;
b. Inciting ethnic hatred, ethnic discrimination, or undermining national unity;
c. Insulting or defaming others, or infringing upon the legitimate rights and interests of others;
d. Containing other content prohibited by laws or administrative regulations.
6. To respect copyright and better protect the legitimate rights and interests of authors, authors must agree to the following declaration at the time of submission:
I hereby declare that I am the copyright owner of this entry. This work was created with my participation, and I am responsible for any disputes arising from copyright issues such as images, storylines, music, etc. I agree that the organizing committee may broadcast, screen, exhibit, publish, etc. the work in relevant media for the purpose of festival promotion and publicity, without compensation. I have truthfully filled out the registration form and take responsibility for its content.
7. In principle, all entries will not be returned. Entrants should keep the original copies of their works.
8. Regarding plagiarism:
a. Plagiarism refers to the act of taking another person's work, either verbatim or altered, as one's own without the original author's consent.
b. The organizing committee does not have full monitoring capacity over plagiarism, but once discovered, it has the right to disqualify plagiarized works from evaluation. The organizing committee assumes no legal liability for such infringement, and all legal liability shall be borne by the plagiarist.
c. The organizing committee shall assist judicial authorities or copyright holders by providing background information on the infringer when required.
d. Authors who submit works to the organizing committee are deemed to agree to the measures taken by the organizing committee in the aforementioned circumstances. After taking appropriate measures such as disqualification under the conditions set forth above, the organizing committee shall not bear liability for breach of contract or other legal liability toward the submitter, including liability for damages caused by unfounded infringement claims.
The final interpretation of the above content rests with the Organizing Committee of the Animation Festival. In the event of any conflict with the relevant laws and regulations of the People's Republic of China, the laws and regulations shall prevail.
Organizing Committee of 【Aniwow!2026】 the 21st China (Beijing)
International University Student Animation Festival
School of Animation and Digital Art, Communication University of China
August 2026
This article was translated with AI assistance.
Editor: Fang Yiran
