The 24 HOURS Animation Contest for Students, an international competition challenging students to create a short animated film in just 24 hours, has announced its 2025 winners — marking a record-breaking year of sponsorship, participation, diversity, and emotional impact.

This year’s contest theme: “Flip Your Perspective!” was announced by special guest Pete Docter , Chief Creative Officer at Pixar Animation Studios. Almost 800 films were judged and 7 teams walked away with  prize packs valued over $130,000, which included cash awards, studio swag, art books, software, festival passes, and drawing tablets.

The competition — founded and led by Aubry Mintz, animator, educator, and contest creator — continues to highlight emerging talent from regions often underrepresented in the global animation industry.

“With winners from India, France, Israel, and Canada this year — and past winners from Thailand, Brazil, and Lebanon — we are showcasing incredible talent from every corner of the globe.” says Mintz,  “These students are just as gifted as those from Ivy League schools in the U.S., and seeing their reactions when their films are recognized by industry judges is nothing short of magical.”

Winning teams share more than global recognition — each receives $15,000–$25,000 in prizes from major studios and industry sponsors, offering life-changing opportunities to young artists who grew up inspired by those very companies.

A unique feature of the contest is its Behind-the-Scenes (BTS) Award, encouraging teams to document their creative journey in a short two-minute film. This year, one BTS submission in particular captured the judges attention — a moving entry from Utah Valley University’s team “Milksong.” Their film reflected how the contest became a source of healing and connection after the assassination on their campus of political activist Charlie Kirk.

“While watching the BTS films, this story deeply moved me,” Mintz shared. “The team described how this contest brought them together in the wake of tragedy. It was a powerful reminder of how creativity unites and heals — even in the darkest times.”

Mintz emphasized that many participants compete under extraordinary circumstances — from war zones to natural disasters — yet continue to create with courage and passion.

“We’ve seen teams from Israel, Lebanon, and Russia compete amid war and political upheaval, while others faced hurricanes, fires, and personal trauma,” Mintz said. “What inspires me most is how this contest becomes a lifeline — a way for students to feel heard, connected, and supported. It’s a global event, but it feels like a family.”

Now in its 23^rd year, the 24 HOURS Animation Contest for Students continues to celebrate creativity, community, and resilience — proving that art can unite people across continents, cultures, and challenges.

The public can watch the winning film on the big screen at Animation Is Film Festival on Sunday, October 19th at 5:30 PM, and top winning films from the last 10 years along with a panel from past winners at Lightbox Expo on Friday Oct 24, 2pm, rm 209/210 or on the 24 HOURS 2025 YouTube Playlist.

About the 24 HOURS Animation Contest

24 HOURS hosted by animation professor Aubry Mintz at California State University, Long Beach has grown into the largest student animation competition in the world, with more than 18,000 students from 312 schools across 50 countries participating over the years. 

The 2025 contest’s films were judged by Toby Cochran (Netflix, Disney, Marvel), Tale Linh Do (Netflix, Paramount, DreamWorks), Nina Gantz – BAFTA and Annie winning (Edmond, Wander to Wonder), Howie Hoffman (Trix Rabbit, Bugs Bunny), Daria Khil (DreamWorks), Lucija Mrzljak– (Eeva, Toonekurg), Nigel Tierney (Lil Dicky, Bad Bunny, Willow, DreamWorks, Disney, YouTube)and Carol (Rick and Morty, Over the Garden Wall, The Simpsons).

This contest is free to enter and has seen participation from countries including: Australia • Brazil • Canada • China • Chile • Czech Republic • Denmark • Ecuador • Estonia • France • Germany • GreatBritain • Honduras • Hong Kong • Hungary • Indonesia • India • Iran • Ireland • Italy • Israel • Jamaica • Kenya • Lebanon • Mexico • New Zealand • Nigeria • Pakistan • Philippines • Puerto Rico • Russia • Scotland • South Africa • South Korea • Spain • Taiwan • Thailand • Turkey • UK • USA • Vietnam and Wales.

Sponsors for 2025 included: Toon Boom, Lucasfilm Animation, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, ILM, Warner Bros Animation, Wacom, XP-Pen, Sony Pictures Animation, Nickelodeon Animation Studios, DreamWorks, Skydance Animation, Netflix Animation Studios, Cartoon Saloon, Bento Box, ASIFA-Hollywood and more.

 Winning films were announced at this Livestream hosted by Toon Boom on Friday, October 17, 2025 (https://www.youtube.com/@toonboomanimation/live)

Here are the winning teams:

1^st Place 

Team: Afterimage, School: Indian Institute of Technology, India, Points: 296

2^nd place 

Team: P4SSW0RD1234, School: Sheridan College, Canada, Points: 295

3^rd Place 

Team: Cabillaud, School: EMCA, France, Points: 290

1^st Runner Up 

Team: Aroomkü, School: Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, Israel, Points: 288

2^nd Runner Up Team: The Pack, School: Sheridan College, Canada, Points: 287

Best High School 

Team: In Fifth Place…, School: Sisler High School, Canada, Points: 254

Behind the Scenes Prize 

Team: Furnarius Rufus, School: Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Brasil

Watch the  top 160 Films here:

• Watch the top 160 films from →  2025 YouTube Playlist
• Watch all past winners → YouTube Playlist all
• Behind-the-scenes reels → YouTube Highlights
• For more details about the contest visit the Website: https://24hourscontest.com

How to Support the Contest

For 23 years, the 24 HOURS Contest has remained 100% free to students. To sustain and grow the event, donations are encouraged:

• Suggested: $25 per team (just $5 per student) – support as many teams as you can!
• Donations support free entry, equipment for underserved students, prize funding, and staff support
• Contributions are tax-deductible (fiscally sponsored by Legends Animated, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit)

*Every donation of $5 or more enters donors into a giveaway for a Wacom Intuos Pro 

Please consider a donation at this link: https://donorbox.org/24hourscontest

Media Contact:
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://24hourscontest.com