The Nizami Cinema Center, the Shirvanshahs’ Palace Complex, and the Animation House will host the 8th ANIMAFILM International Animation Festival in Baku from September 3–7, 2025.

Supported by Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Culture, the Cinema Agency, and the Administration of the State Historical-Architectural Reserve “Icherisheher**,**” the event is organized by the Azerbaijan Animation Association and “PERI FILM” LLC.

This year, the theme of the 8th ANIMAFILM Festival is “Cats.”

The festival has received 317 films from 62 countries in 4 international and 1 local category. After evaluating all submissions, the selection committee approved 39 films from 20 countries for the competition. Of these, 10 films will compete in the local category, while 29 will compete in the international categories. All selected films will be judged by an international jury and audiences, and the winners will be awarded at the festival’s closing ceremony.

Festival nominations are as follows:

• Best Short Animated Film – Grand Prix (18+)

• Best Azerbaijani Short Animated Film (8+)

• Best Student Short Animated Film (16+)

• Best Short Animated Film for Children (5+)

• Best Short Animated Film About Cats (18+)

“Our team is actively preparing for the festival**,** resolving organizational matters. This year, a major innovation is expected — a pitching session for animation projects will be introduced for the first time. This year’s theme of the 8th ANIMAFILM International Animation Festival is ‘Cats.’ In connection with the theme, the official festival trailer, ‘Where Are These Cats Going?,’ created by ANIMAFILM Studio and students of the ANIMAFILM School, has been released,” said Festival Director and producer as well as chairman of the Azerbaijan Animation Association, Rashid Aghamaliyev, in an interview with AZERTAC.

The 8th ANIMAFILM International Animation Festival will also feature film screenings, events, masterclasses, meetings with foreign and Azerbaijani experts, presentations and quizzes.