ANIMAFEST UDIT 2025: Animation industry meets and recognises young talent
- Sailor ashore' received the ANIMAFEST Award for Best Short Film in this first edition of the event.
- The dubbing actors of Homer and Bart Simpson and the co-founder of Moho Animation Software participated in this first edition.
UDIT, University of Design, Innovation and Technology has celebrated the first edition of ANIMAFEST UDIT, the animation contest created with the aim of becoming a professional springboard for the work of students, as well as a meeting point for the industry in Madrid.
With the aim of making visible and rewarding emerging talent, both at university and pre-university level, the competition had an official competition category for UDIT students and three special categories for alumni and students from other academic institutions.
The day began with a welcome speech by Blanca Bonet, Director of the UDIT Degree in Animation, followed by the viewing of the short films submitted to the competition, from which the audience could vote for their favourite.
For its part, the Professional Jury, formed by renowned figures within the industry, such as Shira Ukrainitz, Marta Gil, David Castro and Mariana Loterszpril, chose 'Marinero en Tierra', by Sara Ayala, as Best Short Film 2025. Besides, this proposal also won the Best Sound and Soundtrack Award.
The short film 'The Hook', by Ismael Gacem, won the ANIMAFEST Award for Best Director and 'National Mythology', by Marta Paredes, won the ANIMAFEST Award for Best Original Screenplay. The Offish', by Diana Sastre, won Best Character Design, while 'Fatale', by María Cruz, won Best Background Design.
The ANIMAFEST Award for Best Editing and VFX went to 'Frat Magic', by MJ Fernández, and the Best TFG, Project or Free Short Film went to 'The Way of Fear', by Lydia Fernández Umbría. On the other hand, the short film 'Durmiendo entre mazo peskaos', by Julia Maltrás, Anne Ozcoidi, Paloma Palma and Hugo Rueda, won the ANIMAWEEK Award.
Finally, the International Award went to 'Gibbous', by Solo Ang Yi Benet, and the Alumni Award to 'Perla', by Dex Rubio.
A day for learning, fun and networking
In addition to the awards ceremony and, always leaving room for networking, attendees were able to enjoy two interesting and fun masterclasses.
On the one hand, Víctor Paredes, Chilean animator and co-founder of Moho Animation Software, explained how to create 2D animation in non-traditional ways. Using examples from Wolfwalkers, Star Wars Visions, My Father's Dragon and Scavengers Reign, he showed rigs and vector drawings that can coexist with traditional animation.
Meanwhile, Sara Vivas and Carlos Ysbert, dubbing actors for Bart and Homer Simpson, respectively, talked to the audience, who were given the opportunity to learn about their work up close, as well as discovering secrets of professional dubbing and studio anecdotes. In addition, they performed multiple demonstrations that not only generated curiosity among the audience, but also provoked more than a few laughs.
Complete list of winners and finalists
BEST DIRECTION
- The Hook
- Sailor on Land
- Frat Magic
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
- National Mythology
- 'Mine'
- Dark Skit
BEST CHARACTER DESIGN
- Beyound the Road
- The Offish
- National Mythology
BEST BACKGROUND DESIGN
- Fatale
- Let Me Cook
- 'Sailor on Land
BEST SOUND AND SOUNDTRACK
- 'Sailor on Land
- 'National Mythology
- 'Stonks
BEST EDITING AND VFX
- Frat Magic
- 'The Way of Fear
- National Mythology
BEST TFG, PROJECT OR FREE SHORT FILM
- The Way of Fear
ANIMAWEEK
- 'Sleeping among mazo peskaos'.
ANIMAGEST AWARD FOR BEST SHORT FILM 2025
- 'National Mythology
INTERNATIONAL AWARD
- 'Gibbous
ALUMNI AWARD
- 'Perla' (Pearl)
