WIA NYC Animation Festival Returns For Third Year, Celebrating Animation And Community

On November 1, WIA NYC brings together the greater New York City animation community to showcase 28 films by emerging student artists and established independent creators.

As part of WIA’s global community, WIA NYC brings the organization’s mission of connection, advocacy, and empowerment to the greater New York City animation community. Through the WIA NYC Animation Festival, the chapter creates a platform for animators and storytellers, with a particular focus on supporting people of underrepresented gender identities while welcoming everyone committed to a more inclusive and equitable animation industry.

On November 1, 2026, the WIA NYC Animation Festival returns to SVA Theatre for its third annual celebration of independent animation, storytelling, and creative collaboration. This year’s lineup features 28 animated films by local artists, bringing together student and professional work for an evening of screenings, networking, and community building. The program includes award-winning films such as Worcestershire Sauce by Dylan Baddeley, Coworker Crush by Ash Suh, Spiral by Abbey Lynn Paccia, and Our Pockets Are Full by Anjali Pulim.

This year’s festival centers on the theme of “Community,” highlighting WIA NYC’s commitment to building meaningful connections among local animators, filmmakers, students, and industry professionals. In addition to awards for best animation and best student animation, the festival will present an award for best community-themed animated film, recognizing films that explore the relationships, shared experiences, and collective interests that bring people together. ASIFA-East will also present its own “Best Of” award, continuing the organizations’ collaboration and shared commitment to supporting local filmmakers and recognizing outstanding animation.

Ashley Gerst, who founded the WIA NYC Animation Festival in 2024 while serving as co-lead of the WIA NYC chapter, shared her enthusiasm for the festival’s growth: “This is something that I’ve wanted to do for a long time. It’s truly exciting to see how much momentum the festival has gathered in the last two years. There is so much talent in the greater New York City area, and WIA NYC is honored to bring a small portion of it to the big screen where it can be celebrated and supported!”

Monica Joy, an animator and filmmaker whose work was selected for the inaugural festival in 2024, returned this year as a festival judge. Reflecting on the experience, Joy said, “It was a pleasure to be a judge for this year’s incredible festival lineup. Frankly, I was startled at the level of talent, inclusion, and thoughtfulness of both the filmmakers and event organizers. It’s rare to find such a striking balance of community and creativity in one place. I’d consider the event exemplary, and not one to miss if you can help it.”

The festival invites audiences to discover new work, meet fellow creatives, and experience the diverse perspectives and storytelling that make New York’s animation community so vibrant. Doors open at 5 p.m., with the screening beginning at 5:30 p.m. An awards ceremony will follow the screening, with a reception at 8 p.m.

The third annual WIA NYC Animation Festival is proudly sponsored by the School of Visual Arts BFA Animation and BFA 3D Animation and Visual Effects departments, the Art of Aaron Blaise, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the Museum of the Moving Image (MoMI), and Moho Animation Software.

For tickets and additional information, visit the WIA NYC Animation Festival’s Eventbrite page. To learn more about WIA and opportunities to get involved, visit wearewia.org.