Fredrikstad Becomes First Animation Festival To Host World’s Leading Film Critics Jury

The Fredrikstad Animation Festival (FAF) will expand its international profile this year by introducing its first official jury from the International Federation of Film Critics (Fipresci), marking a significant milestone for both the Nordic event and the leading global critics’ body.

Set to take place from October 21 to 25, 2026, the festival’s 30th edition will include the Fipresci jury as part of its competitive lineup.

The move reflects a growing recognition of animation within the broader international film landscape, as well as Fipresci’s ongoing expansion into new festival territories. Founded in 1925, the organization represents film critics from more than 50 countries and regularly awards prizes at major international festivals.

Last October, the organization issued an “Animation Call” to build a dedicated network of critics focused on animation and expand the federation’s presence in animation festivals, reflecting the medium’s growing global importance. It invites members to join a new subgroup that will help establish critics’ juries and strengthen recognition of animated cinema worldwide.

Fredrikstad director Anders Narverud Moen stressed the impact the collaboration will have on both filmmakers and the event’s visibility:

Internationally recognized film critics will have the opportunity to discover our film program, and the increased presence of journalists and critics will in turn give greater recognition to the films and filmmakers presented at the festival. Fredrikstad Animation Festival actively works to promote filmmakers in the Nordic and Baltic countries, and the collaboration with Fipresci will provide greater opportunities to elevate these filmmakers onto the international animation scene.

The jury lineup will be announced alongside the full festival program ahead of the autumn event.

With animation increasingly recognized across top-tier festivals, FAF’s partnership with Fipresci signals a continued push to position the medium and the region’s filmmakers within the global critical conversation.