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2026 Taichung International Animation Festival (TIAF) Rules and Regulations for Submission of Entries

About the Festival

The competition of the 2026 12th Taichung International Animation Festival (TIAF) is organized by the Taichung Film Development Foundation under the guidance of the Information Bureau, Taichung City Government. The 2026 Taichung International Animation Festival will be held in October in Taichung, Taiwan. 

Eligibility

  1. Feature Films Competition
    • Animated feature films of any technique or medium are eligible for submission. The running time (including end credits and total screening duration) must be 60 minutes or longer.
    • Submitted films must have been completed after January 1, 2024, and must not have been previously submitted to this competition in any other version. 
    •  The Organizer reserves the right to request supplementary documentation from applicants to verify eligibility.
  2. Short Films Competition
    • Animated short films of any technique or medium are eligible for submission. The running time (including end credits) must be 25 minutes or less.
    • Submitted films must have been completed after January 1, 2025, and must not have been previously submitted to this competition in any other version.
    • Applicants to the Taiwanese Short Film Competition and the Taiwanese Student Short Film Competition must meet at least one of the following conditions: the director holds a Republic of China (Taiwan) National Identification Card or Alien Resident Certificate; at least half of the production budget was spent in Taiwan; or at least half of the production personnel hold Republic of China (Taiwan) nationality or identification. (Reference: Article 1, Paragraph 5 of the Criteria for Differentiating Domestic Motion Pictures and Non-Domestic Motion Pictures, amended and announced by the Ministry of Culture on October 16, 2015.) 
    • The Organizer reserves the right to request supplementary documentation from applicants to verify eligibility. 

Submission Categories

  • Submissions are divided into two categories: the Main Competition and the Out-ofCompetition Section. A total of six sections are available for submission: the Feature Film Competition, Short Film Competition, Taiwanese Short Film Competition, Student Short Film Competition, Taiwanese Student Short Film Competition, and the Out-ofCompetition Section – momo mini Children’s Animated Short Film Award. 
  • Films submitted to the Taiwanese Short Film Competition may also be submitted to the Short Film Competition.
  • Films entered in the Student Short Film Competition must have been completed during the filmmaker’s period of study. Films submitted to the Taiwanese Student Short Film Competition may also be submitted to the Student Short Film Competition, but may not be simultaneously submitted to the Short Film Competition or the Taiwanese Short Film Competition. 
  • The preliminary selection committee reserves the right to recommend works from the Student Short Film Competition for inclusion in the Short Film Competition and the Children’s Short Film Audience Choice Award, and to recommend works from the Taiwanese Student Short Film Competition for inclusion in the Taiwanese Short Film Competition and the Children’s Short Film Audience Choice Award. 
  • Entries submitted to any short film competition category may also apply for the Children’s Short Film Audience Choice Award, provided that the content is suitable for children and does not violate public order or accepted moral standards.
  • Entries submitted to any short film competition category may also apply for the Out-ofCompetition – momo mini Children’s Animated Short Film Award, provided that they comply with the Out-of-Competition regulations. Please refer to Appendix 4 for details.

Main Competition Awards and Prizes 

  • Feature Films
    • BEST FEATURE FILM – prize money 350,000 TWD
      (Approx. 11,000 USD)
    • AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD - Determined by audience voting; no cash prize
  • Short Films
    • GRAND PRIX – prize money 300,000 TWD
      (Approx. 9,200 USD )
    • JURY DISTINCTION – prize money 100,000 TWD
      (Approx. 3,100 USD)
    • OUTSTANDING WORK – prize money 50,000 TWD
      (Approx. 1,500 USD)
  • Taiwanese Short Films
    • GRAND PRIX – prize money 150,000 TWD
      (Approx. 4,600 USD)
  • Student Short Films
    • GRAND PRIX – prize money 100,000 TWD
      (Approx. 3,100 USD)
    • JURY DISTINCTION – prize money 50,000 TWD
      (Approx. 1,500 USD)
  • Taiwanese Student Short Films
    • GRAND PRIX – prize money 100,000 TWD
      (Approx. 3,100 USD)
  • Audience Awards
    • CHILDREN’S SHORT FILM AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD – Determined by audience voting; no cash prize 
    • AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD – Determined by audience voting; no cash prize 

【Note】

  •  All prize money shall be subject to income tax withholding in accordance with the tax laws of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Standards of Withholding Rates for Various Incomes. For individuals residing in Taiwan or profit-seeking enterprises with a fixed place of business in Taiwan, 10% of the prize money will be withheld. For nonresident individuals or profit-seeking enterprises without a fixed place of business in Taiwan, 20% will be withheld.
  •  If more than one recipient is selected for a single award, the prize money shall be equally divided among the recipients. 
  • In the event of disputes regarding eligibility, the Organizer reserves the right to declare an entry ineligible and may withhold the award until the dispute is resolved. 
  • Based on the completeness, storytelling, and creative techniques of the submitted works, the final jury may grant Special Mention Awards. The number of such awards is not limited, and no cash prize will be awarded.

Out-of-Competition Awards and Prizes

  • Short Films
    • momo mini Children’s Animated Short Film Award – prize money 50,000 TWD
      (Approx. 1,500 USD)

【Note】

  •  By submitting to this Out-of-Competition section, the applicant acknowledges that they have read, understood, and agreed to all terms and conditions of the Out-of-Competition regulations. 
  •  This award is provided and administered by the Fubon Cultural & Educational Foundation. 
  • The prize money shall be subject to income tax withholding in accordance with the tax laws of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Standards of Withholding Rates for Various Incomes. For individuals residing in Taiwan or profit-seeking enterprises with a fixed place of business in Taiwan, 10% of the prize money will be withheld. For nonresident individuals or profit-seeking enterprises without a fixed place of business in Taiwan, 20% will be withheld.
  • If more than one recipient is selected for this award, the prize money shall be equally divided among the recipients.  

Submissions Method

  • Applicants must complete the online application form and upload the required materials via the competition submission website (twtiaf.com/2026rg) by June 30, 2026 (Tuesday).
    • One portrait photo of the director (JPG format; resolution of at least 300 dpi). 
    • Three still images from the film (JPG format; resolution of at least 300 dpi). 
    • Except for films without dialogue, all submitted films must include English subtitles. If the original language of the film is Chinese, Chinese subtitles must also be provided, together with a subtitle file with timecodes. (File formats are limited to .srt, .doc, .docx, or .txt.) 
    • A link that allows online viewing and downloading of the full film must be provided. (The film should be uploaded to a website or cloud storage service that allows online viewing and authorized downloading of the full film, or submitted directly through FilmFreeway.) 
  • The film format must be MP4 (Codec H.264) or MOV (ProRes 422). The film resolution must be 1920 × 1080 pixels or higher. 
  • The download link for the submitted film must remain valid and allow full download access until at least October 30, 2026.
  • Applicants submitting on behalf of a company must be the copyright owner of the submitted film or an authorized agent with full submission rights (such as a production company, presenting company, distributor, or international sales agent). Applicants must sign and submit the Copyright Declaration and Submission Authorization Statement (Appendix 1) at the time of submission. If the film is co-produced by multiple companies, authorization must be obtained from all co-owners. If necessary, the Organizer reserves the right to request proof of ownership or other relevant documentation.
  • Applicants, as well as the film’s producer(s), presenter(s), distributor(s), or related parties, are responsible for ensuring the legal compliance of the film. The Organizer reserves the final right to determine eligibility and may refuse any film that may potentially damage the reputation or image of the Organizer. 
  • Submitted film files and related materials may be archived by the Organizer or used for academic research purposes without compensation. 

【Note】

  • No submission fee is required to participate in the competition. 
  • Only completed films may be submitted. Incomplete films will not be considered for selection. 

Selection Process

  • The jury will be appointed by the Organizer and composed of animation experts and scholars from Taiwan and abroad. The selection process consists of three stages: eligibility review, preliminary selection, and final selection. 
  • The shortlist is tentatively scheduled to be announced on the official website twtiaf.com by August 7, 2026.
  • The Organizer will notify directors whose works are selected in the preliminary round by email in order to arrange the submission of additional materials and related matters.
  • If a shortlisted entrant voluntarily withdraws from the competition, a written notice must be submitted by August 12, 2026 (Wednesday) (inclusive, based on the date received). Late requests will not be accepted. 
  • The list of award winners will be announced at the Competition Awards Ceremony and published on the official website and related social media platforms.

Screening Copies

  • Shortlisted entrants must provide a complete screening copy of the film by August 14, 2026 (Friday). Films not in Chinese must include English subtitles; films with Chinese dialogue must include both Chinese and English subtitles. The screening copy must be provided in one of the following formats: 
    •  DCP (must comply with commercial cinema screening standards) 
    • The file format should preferably be MOV (ProRes 422), or MP4 (Codec H.264) 
  • The above formats are recommended to be uploaded via file-sharing services such as Google Drive, WeTransfer, FTP, or other similar platforms, with a valid download link and password provided. Alternatively, the film may be stored on a hard drive or USB 3.0 flash drive and sent by courier (DHL, FedEx, EMS, etc.) to: Taichung Film Development Foundation
    Taichung International Animation Festival – Competition Section
     9F-2, No. 186, Dadun 19th Street, Xitun District, Taichung City 40758, Taiwan
  • If a shortlisted entrant fails to provide the complete screening copy within the specified deadline and according to the required specifications, the Organizer may deem the entrant to have voluntarily withdrawn from the competition.

Transportation and Insurance 

  • Shortlisted entrants are responsible for the shipping costs of film copies, including freight charges, export and import customs fees, and insurance. The Organizer will cover the cost of returning the film copies. 
  • For overseas shipments of screening copies, entrants must clearly state on the package: “Temporary import; for cultural purposes only; no commercial value.” The pro forma invoice must indicate that the total declared value of the package does not exceed USD 20 or EUR 20.
  • If no specific return date is designated, the Organizer will return the film copy to the address provided in the submission within 14 working days after the conclusion of the event. 

Intellectual Property Statement

  • Applicants must be the copyright holder of the submitted film or have obtained authorization from the copyright holder. Authorized applicants must provide a Copyright Authorization Agreement (Appendix 1) for record and verification. 
  • If the film contains any material created by others, including images or audio, the applicant must obtain authorization from the respective intellectual property rights holders and provide relevant documentation upon submission. Plagiarism or unauthorized use is strictly prohibited. 
  • If a submitted film is involved in intellectual property disputes, other legal disputes, or claims by rights holders, the Organizer reserves the right to revoke the film’s eligibility and any awarded prizes, and to reclaim any prize money or awards granted. Any resulting legal liabilities shall be borne solely by the applicant. 

Obligations of Participants

  • Applicants agree to provide a copy of the film for screening during the evaluation and festival period (April 1, 2026 to October 30, 2026). The film will be used for jury viewing without compensation. If selected for the shortlist, the applicant agrees to allow the Organizer to screen the film twice free of charge during the festival.
  • Applicants agree that the Organizer may document festival activities through photography, audio recording, video recording, or other forms of recording and may edit such recordings as necessary. All such recordings shall be the intellectual property of the Taichung Film Development Foundation. Applicants are responsible for providing the Organizer with the required film-related materials, including text, images, and audiovisual materials. Shortlisted entrants are encouraged to attend festivalrelated events and the awards ceremony. 
  • Applicants authorize (or shall obtain authorization for) the Organizer to use film excerpts, still images, posters, music, songs, written materials (including scripts and dialogue), biographies of shortlisted entrants, and working photos free of charge. The Organizer may reproduce, adapt, and edit the shortlisted works (including but not limited to adding Chinese and English subtitles or incorporating footage into festival promotional videos) for use in festival program catalogs, promotional leaflets, the official website, or other promotional materials. The Organizer may also broadcast or publicly screen such materials on television, the internet, or other media without limitation on frequency or duration. 
  • Applicants from Taiwan agree to authorize the Organizer to compile submission materials into the “Taiwan Animation Shorts Selection Handbook” for domestic and international festival promotion or program exchange.
  • In addition to the authorization described above, shortlisted entrants may voluntarily authorize the Organizer to screen the shortlisted works without limitation on frequency or duration in non-profit outreach screenings, such as public-interest cultural events serving children and communities in remote areas (authorization agreement provided in Appendix 3).
  • Winners of the Feature Film Competition authorize (or shall obtain authorization for) the Organizer to publicly screen the winning film once free of charge, without time limitation, for festival promotion, program exchange, or non-profit outreach events in Taiwan and abroad (such as Taichung Movie Fun-In Season, Taichung International Animation Day, and TIAF Award-Winning Film Tour).
  • Winners of the Short Film Competition authorize (or shall obtain authorization for) the Organizer to compile the winning films into the “Taichung International Animation Festival Annual Selection”, which may be publicly screened, broadcast, or transmitted without limitation on frequency or duration for festival promotion, program exchange, or non-profit outreach events in Taiwan and abroad (such as Taichung Movie Fun-In Season, Taichung International Animation Day, and TIAF Award-Winning Film Tour). 
  • The Organizer will provide the “Taichung International Animation Festival Laurels” to shortlisted and award-winning films. The laurels may only be used for promotional materials related to the film, including printed materials, websites, or other promotional media. Any additional uses require prior written consent from the Organizer, and the laurels may not be modified.

Consent and Agreement

  • By submitting an entry to this International Animation Competition, the applicant acknowledges that they have read, understood, and agreed to all terms and conditions set forth in these Regulations.
  • In the event of any dispute regarding the interpretation or application of the Chinese and English versions of these Regulations, the Chinese version shall prevail. All matters shall be interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Republic of China (Taiwan). Unless otherwise provided by law, the applicant agrees that any disputes arising from these Regulations shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the Taichung District Court in Taiwan as the court of first instance.
  • In the event that force majeure circumstances, such as natural disasters or epidemics, affect the implementation of this competition, the Organizer may adjust the submission procedures in accordance with government policies (including but not limited to adjustments to the submission schedule, the announcement of shortlisted entries, or the format of the awards ceremony) or postpone related events. Applicants shall cooperate with any adjustments to the film authorization period or other designated matters. In case of any ambiguity, the latest announcements published on the official website twtiaf.com shall prevail.
  • If any matters relating to these Regulations are unclear or not otherwise specified, the Organizer reserves the right to make changes to the event and to provide the final interpretation.

Contact Information

Taichung Film Development Foundation –Taichung International Animation Festival Competition Section
Tel: +886-4-2323-6100 ext. 21 (Ms. Tsai)
Email: tiaf.competition@tfdf.org.tw