LA’s Animation Is Film Festival to Feature Oscar Contenders ‘Tangles,’ ‘Iron Boy,’ and More

Animation is indeed film — especially at Los Angeles’ Animation Is Film Festival, which has released its 2026 lineup.

The ninth edition takes place October 16-19, primarily screening at the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres in Hollywood, which will then host AFI Fest the following week. For the first time ever, Animation Is Film kicks off with an animated series, with the world-first theatrical premiere of the first two episodes of Dana Terrace’s “Knights of Guinevere,” following Episode 1.02’s online debut.

“We’re thrilled to kick off another lively, animated weekend of the year’s very best with a special theatrical presentation of Dana Terrace’s ‘Knights of Guinevere,’” said Matt Kaszanek, Animation Is Film director. “Dana is the artist behind one of the most beloved animated series of this decade. So naturally, it is with otherworldly excitement that we embrace her return to showrunning with a big-screen presentation of this visionary series.”

Animation Is Film this year also features nine films in competition, with many among the year’s animated Oscar contenders.

These include Louis Clichy’s “Iron Boy,” winner of the Un Certain Regard Special Jury Prize at Cannes and the Jury Award and Audience Award at Annecy and fresh from the Toronto and New York Film Festivals; Leah Nelson’s Cannes premiere “Tangles,” and “Julián,” the latest feature from Ireland’s animation house Cartoon Saloon. Other highly anticipated screenings include queer Cannes and Annecy favorite “Jim Queen,” the North American premiere of “Ghost — End of Night,” Brazil’s hand-drawn “O Filho Da Puta (Son of a Bitch),” and Annecy Cristal winner “The Violinist.” “Viva Carmen!” and “Cherry and Virgin” round out the competition lineup.

AIF’s lineup includes studio presentations, retrospective screenings, filmmaker talks, and works-in-progress films. Highlights include a conversation with the founders of Cartoon Saloon, reflecting on 25 years of the studio, a behind-the-scenes look at Walt Disney Animation’s upcoming “Hexed,” a rare theatrical presentation of Paramount’s 2026 hit “Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender,” Yoshiaki Kawajiri’s 2000 cult classic “Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust,” and a work-in-progress look at Matt Braly’s “Clara and the Below.”

See the entire slate and learn more over at Animation Is Film’s website.