CIU Animation Film Competition
Ignite your imagination—make your ideas visible through animation!
Organized for the first time this year by the Cyprus International University, the CIU Animation Film Competition aims to bring together young animation artists in the fields of social responsibility and creative expression.
Launched with the theme “Sustainable Development, Sustainable Life” the competition encourages individuals to use the artistic and narrative power of animation to raise awareness about global issues. Participants may submit works focused on topics such as climate change, inequality, education, gender equality, and peace, aligned with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.
The Winners of the CIU Animation Film Competition Have Been Announced
A total of 70 works from different countries around the world applied to the competition. The works were evaluated by a seven-member jury in three different categories: General Category, Student Category, and the Special Award for AI-Generated Animation Film.
Award-winning works:
GENERAL CATEGORY
First Prize
Title: Drip
Creator: Zeynep Sude Yavuz
Second Prize
Title: Game
Creator: Önder Menken
Third Prize
Title: Whisper of the Well
Creator: Elif Dokur
STUDENT CATEGORY
First Prize
Title: Coin
Creator: Yahya El Mouahhid
Second Prize
Title: Hand in Hand
Creator: Melihat Özdoğan Ağgül
Third Prize
Title: Ağaç Sev
Creator: Cahide Baykal
SPECIAL AWARD FOR AI-GENERATED ANIMATION FILM
Title: Tohum
Creator: Esin Ülkü
The award ceremony of the competition will be held on Friday, March 6, 2026, at 2:30 PM, at the Çevik Uraz Conference Hall of Cyprus International University.
In parallel with advancing technologies, a separate evaluation will also be conducted under the special title: “Special Award for Animation Films Created with Artificial Intelligence”
Animation films with a maximum duration of 10 minutes will be evaluated by a jury of experts based on technical proficiency, creative approach, and thematic relevance.
In addition to supporting young artists, the competition aims to promote the vision of sustainability through art and contribute to animation production in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
The competition will be held in two main categories:
• General Category
• Student Category
- Submission Deadline: September 5, 2025
- Participation is free of charge.
Awards:
General Category:
- 1st Place: 40.000 TL
- 2nd Place: 30.000 TL
- 3rd Place: 20.000 TL
Student Category:
- 1st Place: 15.000 TL
- 2nd Place: 10.000 TL
- 3rd Place: 5.000 TL
Special Award for AI-Generated Animation Films:
- Award: 10.000 TL