Animayo 2026: Tony Bancroft to preside over international jury

Disney legend to head jury at Animayo Gran Canaria 2026

The 21st edition of Animayo Gran Canaria – La Isla de Mi Vida, the International Festival of Animation, Visual Effects and Video Games, has announced the name of the president of its international jury: Tony Bancroft (Tennessee, USA), who will visit Spain for the first time thanks to this festival. As the only event of its kind in Spain designated as a qualifying festival for the Oscars in two categories and also for the Annie Awards, Animayo continues to cement its international reputation.

According to a statement from the organisers, the iconic director, producer and animator is considered one of the architects of the Walt Disney Feature Animation Renaissance in the 1990s. He is the award-winning co-director of Mulan, and the creator of iconic characters such as Pumbaa from The Lion King, Iago from Aladdin, and Cogsworth from Beauty and the Beast, among others. Bancroft’s credits also include Mary Poppins Returns (Walt Disney Pictures), Disenchanted, The Rescuers Down Under, The Prince and the Pauper, and the 2023 Disney short film celebrating the studio’s 100th anniversary, Once Upon a Studio. Beyond Disney, his various professional roles have left their mark on animated television series and other titles such as Mosley, Stuart Little 2 and Space Jam: A New Legacy.

Full jury lineup revealed for four official competition sections

The festival has also revealed the full composition of the juries for its four official competition sections. These guest stars will decide the winners of the Animayo Gran Canaria 2026 International Awards. The organisation has also provided a detailed account of the short film selection process for this annual competition, including the techniques, countries of origin, themes and all the prizes on offer.

Additionally, Animayo Gran Canaria – La Isla de Mi Vida 2026, now a consolidated international platform capable of connecting talent, industry and the market, has announced up to 34 premieres and special screenings, sponsored and supported by the Cabildo of Gran Canaria – La Isla de Mi Vida, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria City Council, the Government of the Canary Islands, Turismo de Gran Canaria, and Fundación La Caja de Canarias, as well as production companies, studios, schools, universities and other private enterprises.

World premiere of ‘An Epic Yarn’ to open the festival

The festival kicks off with the live guest presentation gala on Wednesday 6 May from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the CICCA venue in the Gran Canarian capital. Admission is free until capacity is reached. The evening will begin with the world premiere of An Epic Yarn, presented by its director Andrew Gordon, an animator, director and executive producer who is a leading figure at Pixar Animation Studios (known for Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, Ratatouille and Toy Story). In recent years, he has worked on other projects such as Ron’s Gone Wrong, Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank, Hitpig! and the feature film Out of the Nest.

Next comes the Canary Islands premiere of The Piano, presented by the aforementioned Tony Bancroft, who serves as executive producer, and by its director and independent screenwriter Avery Kroll, whose other notable projects include The Legend of Bill and Knock Knock. The synopsis tells the story of a little girl who slips out of bed one night to discover her father leaning over the piano, pouring his soul into the keys. The powerful bond they form by making music together lasts a lifetime. After his passing, she honours his memory by playing his song and teaching it to her son, passing the musical connection down to the next generation.

Rounding out the trio, the Canary Islands will also see the premiere of the short film Cap Al Cel (Shoji Films), presented by its director Nicolás Solá, a 2D animator and illustrator from Spain whose other notable projects include Good Night Mr. Ted, Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood and Black Butterflies. He has worked with studios such as kiru Films, Inspidea and 3bohemians. He will be joined by producer Rubén Seca, also a director, screenwriter and CEO of Shoji Films, with notable projects including Los cangrejos, Esculpiendo en la memoria, Reminiscencia, Mortis causa, Finca Rágia and Solicitud.

In-depth panel discussion on Saturday

These three premiere short films (in original version with Spanish subtitles) will be explored in greater depth by their directors on Saturday 9 May from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM in the panel titled “Small but Mighty Stories: Crafting An Epic Yarn, The Piano and Cap al Cel”. The panel will be moderated by Ramin Zahed (Los Angeles, USA), a renowned journalist, author and editor-in-chief of the prestigious Animation Magazine.

Further world, European, Spanish and Canary Islands premieres – totalling the aforementioned 34 pieces – will take place during the screening sessions of the official competition sections. To maintain the impartiality and objectivity that are hallmarks of Animayo Gran Canaria, no titles or any other details that could compromise equal opportunities in this competition are being announced in advance.

Special screenings at Teatro Guiniguada

As for the special screenings, always in original version with Spanish subtitles and aimed at different types of audiences, these will take place at the Teatro Guiniguada in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. On Wednesday 6 May at 4:00 PM, with free admission until capacity is reached, the French feature film Little Amélie will be screened by Liane-Cho Han Jin Kuang and Maÿlis Vallade, who will give a special welcome to attendees via video.

On Saturday 9 May, from 12:00 PM to 1:15 PM, for the little ones – from the age of five – and for families, again with free admission until capacity is reached, there will be a cinema screening of the animated family comedies from Gigglebug, for the first time in collaboration with Finnish animation studio Gigglebug Entertainment. This will include Emmy Award-winning works. This unique session will feature the following screenings: Gigglebug, 2016 (2.5 min) – Space Rock; 101 Dalmatian Street (Short), 2019 (2.5 min) – Diva Pups; Best Bester, 2022 (11 min) – Funny Money; 101 Dalmatian Street (Short), 2019 (2.5 min) – Jurassic (Dino) Pups; Super Duper Bunny League, 2025 (11 min) – Lizard Lips!; Bat-Fam, 2025 (22 min) – All in a Bat Day’s Work; 101 Dalmatian Street (Short), 2019 (2.5 min) – Space Pups; The Unstoppable Yellow Yeti, 2022 (11 min) – Rug Burn; Christmas at Moomin Valley, 2022 (7 min).

Animayo Gran Canaria: a curatorial platform of reference

The organisation reviewed nearly 2,000 works of 2D animation, 3D animation, visual effects, experimental cinema, advertising pieces, animated spots, music videos, video game cinematics and virtual reality from 78 countries around the world, including the United States, Iran, France, Germany, Australia, Poland, Spain, Argentina, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Belgium, India, the Czech Republic, the Philippines, Peru, Cuba, the Netherlands and Canada.

This year, the strong presence of the main audiovisual production hubs on the international stage is notable, combining territories with a long tradition in animation, such as France or the United States, with growing markets showing great creative promise, such as Spain or Mexico. The techniques present in the pre-selected works are as follows: 424 works in 2D animation; 151 in 3D; 132 in mixed and experimental techniques; 92 in Stop Motion; and 6 in Rotoscoping. Without a doubt, the clear predominance of 2D confirms its continued relevance as the main language in contemporary short films, especially in the authorial sphere, while 3D is strong in productions with greater technical development. Stop Motion maintains its connection to artisanal and conceptual proposals. Finally, the significant presence of hybrid techniques reveals a growing trend towards experimentation and the combination of languages, marking a constant evolution in the ways of storytelling through animation.

The second phase culminated in 75 short films selected for their outstanding artistic, narrative and technical quality. So much so that several of them will participate in more than one category, given their versatility and ability to adapt to different narrative contexts. Furthermore, they concentrate a notable plurality of visual languages: 45 works in 2D animation; 23 in 3D; 10 in Stop Motion; and 10 in mixed and experimental techniques, used not in isolation but combined and executed simultaneously to create a unique and unrepeatable language in the finally selected works, meaning that up to four combined techniques can be counted in a single piece. The final selection features a high representation of international schools, universities and training centres, underscoring the festival’s role as a platform for visibility for emerging talent and a bridge between the academic world and the professional industry. Notable among the institutions represented are: Gobelins (France); ESMA (France); Supinfocom/Rubika (France); Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg (Germany); National Film and Television School (UK); iACADEMY (Philippines); Universidad de Artes Digitales (Mexico); Escena, Escuela de Animación y Arte Digital (Spain); Dr. Shariati National University of Skill (Iran).

Unique Oscar and Annie Awards qualifying status

Animayo Gran Canaria – La Isla de Mi Vida is the only animation festival in Spain designated as a qualifying festival for the Oscars in two categories. The winners of the Grand Prix of the International Jury (qualifying since 2018) and Best Spanish-Language Animation (qualifying since 2022) receive a direct pass to the preselection round of these awards. Thanks to these distinctions, Animayo has to date achieved 5 nominations, 7 shortlists and one Oscar for Best Animated Short Film for works awarded in its Official International Awards.

Furthermore, recently and alongside six other prestigious festivals worldwide, Animayo has been designated by ASIFA-Hollywood to qualify for the Annie Awards, known as the “Oscars of animation”, meaning its winners in various categories will be eligible for consideration for these awards.

The 2026 international awards and competition sections

The Animayo Gran Canaria 2026 International Awards will consist of the winners of its four Official Competition Sections: International; Spanish-Language Animation; Cinematics, Video Games and Commissioned Works (aimed at adult audiences from the age of 16); and the children’s and youth section “My First Festival”, which awards the Children’s Audience Prize. Always in original version with subtitles, the 75 selected short films will be screened in various sessions at the Teatro Guiniguada in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria over the four days of the festival.

With two fixed awards – the Grand Jury Prize and Best Spanish-Language Animated Short Film – up to 17 prize categories will make up the Animayo Gran Canaria 2026 International Awards. This number is subject to modification if the jury deems it appropriate, as it may create new categories, or modify or eliminate existing ones to better reflect the outcome of the voting. In addition to the two already mentioned, the planned prizes are for the best short films in the following categories: 2D Technique; 3D Technique; Stop Motion; Screenplay; Humour for All Audiences; Adult Humour; Art Direction; Student Short Film; Visual Effects; Audience Award; and Special Jury Mentions. The jury may also grant additional recognitions such as: Social Awareness; Special Jury Mention for Creativity and Humour; Independent Short Film; and Emerging Talent.

The four official competition sections mentioned above will be voted on by the public and, most importantly, by the International Jury, which will decide the prizes and mentions, with the exception of the “My First Festival” Children’s Audience Prize, for which schoolchildren from across the island of Gran Canaria will also be able to vote, reaffirming Animayo’s connection with education and new generations.

Meet the international jury for Animayo 2026

The Animayo Gran Canaria 2026 International Jury will be composed of guest stars and leading professionals from animation, visual effects and video games, bringing an expert and diverse perspective to the deliberation process and selecting the most outstanding works of this 21st edition.

International Jury. Presided over by Tony Bancroft, director, producer and animator (Tennessee, USA). Walt Disney Animation Studios; Sony Pictures; Warner Brothers Animation Group. Notable projects: Mulan, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King, Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Emperor’s New Groove, Atlantis: The Lost Empire.

Joining him are:

Alan Bodner, Art Director and Production Designer (Los Angeles, USA). Walt Disney Television Animation, Warner Bros., DreamWorks, Cartoon Network. Notable projects: The Iron Giant, Tangled: The Series, Kim Possible, Looney Tunes or Phineas and Ferb.

Brooke Keesling, Animation Development and Talent Development (Los Angeles, USA). Vice President of ASIFA-Hollywood. Bento Box Entertainment, Cartoon Network, Disney Television Animation or Warner Bros. Notable projects: Pirates of the Caribbean, Inception or Hugo.

Arslan Elver, Animation Supervisor at Framestore (UK). Industrial Light & Magic, MPC, Prime Focus. Notable projects: The Golden Compass, Project Hail Mary, Guardians of the Galaxy, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Maleficent, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Sarah Mcdonald, Character Supervisor (Spain). Skydance Animation Studios. Notable projects: Spellbound, The Dark Knight, Fantastic Beasts, Mission: Impossible, Thor, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children.

Spanish-language animation jury

Comprising Elena Najar, Animation Director and Animation Supervisor at Gigglebug Entertainment (Finland). Notable projects: 101 Dalmatian Street, Chico and Rita or Nocturna.

Nicolás Solá, mentioned above.

Mario Serrano, 2D Animator, Character Designer, Animation Director (Spain). Araoye Studios, Nonemore, Tonic DNA, The Thinklab Media, Moondog Animation Studio. Notable projects: The Illusionist, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, Fixed, Chico and Rita, Disenchanted: Giselle Returns.

Elena Velasco, 2D Animator, Storyboard Artist, Visual Development and Layout Artist (Spain). Yolao Entertainment, U-tad, TMS Entertainment, Shoji Films, Hampa Studio. Notable projects: Space Jam: A New Legacy, Klaus, Vlemon, Chica y lobo, Central Park.

Santiago Vélez Alfonso, Assistant Director, Storyboard Artist, 2D Layout Supervisor (Spain). Able Baker, Lightbox Animation Studios, El tesoro de Barracuda AIE, Premise Entertainment, Bardel Entertainment. Notable projects: Disenchanted: Giselle Returns, Mummies, Inspector Sun and the Curse of the Black Widow, El tesoro de Barracuda, Blue Malone: Casos imposibles.

Cinematics, VFX and music video jury

Comprising the already mentioned Arslan Elver, Brooke Keesling, Sarah Mcdonald, Avery Kroll and Andrew Gordon.

A 21st edition that, in its full maturity, unveils a programme on the island of Gran Canaria, the destination where creativity and inspiration coexist naturally, positioning it – alongside Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, not for nothing a finalist to be European Capital of Culture 2031 in Spain – at the heart of the global animation scene, the festival concludes.

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