The call for submissions is now open for the fifth edition of Rise & Shine Animation Development & Pitching Lab – an international programme dedicated to young animation talents developing their first or second professional short animated film.

Rise & Shine is a three-part storytelling, development, and pitching lab that will take place in a hybrid format in 2026. The first stage is scheduled for June 2026 during the World Festival of Animated Film – Animafest Zagreb in Croatia. The second module will be held online in October 2026, and the programme will culminate in December 2026 at the Animateka International Animated Film Festival in Ljubljana.

Through the open call, 10 project teams will be selected. An 11th project will join the programme via direct selection from Pitch, please!, organised by the Animest International Animation Film Festival. In total, eleven selected teams will be invited to take part in the full lab cycle.

Participants will receive comprehensive development support, including lectures, workshops, individual and group sessions, and mentoring led by experienced professionals from the international animation industry. The aim of Rise & Shine is to support projects at an early development stage, deepen dramaturgical work, and prepare teams for pitching their projects to industry partners.

The programme is addressed to young talents working on short animated films currently in development.

The submission deadline is March 10, 2026.

More information and the application form can be found here.

FEBRUARY 2026