cinanima - international animated film festival
Major legitimate festival with strong credentials
Cinanima is the oldest animated film festival in Portugal and the third oldest in the world, founded in 1976 in Espinho, and stands as one of Europe's longest-running competitive events dedicated exclusively to animation. It showcases a diverse international program of short films, feature films, student works, and hybrid-language animations from over 140 countries, while actively promoting Portuguese creators and challenging the perception that animation is only for children. The festival is notably an Oscar™-qualifying event, where its Grand Prize winner for short films becomes eligible for nomination for the Best Animated Short Film at the Academy Awards.
Last updated Aug 21, 2026
Legitimacy Analysis
Positive Indicators (+57 pts)
- Oscar Qualifying Festival
- 50 years of verifiable history
- Physical screenings at Centro Multimeios de Espinho
- 2 verified pro signals
- Verified trusted status
Red Flags (-0 pts)
No red flags found
Trust Signals
Positive Signals
- Named venues with external verification
- Documented history with archived programs
Festival Details
Founded
1976
Venue
Centro Multimeios de Espinho
Screenings
Physical screenings confirmed
Award Categories
1
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