The Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF | animationfestival.ca) continues to roll out its 2025 Official Selection with its Animated Series competition. This diverse lineup showcases inventive storytelling and animation from around the globe, reflecting the bold spirit of the festival.
“Television has evolved so dramatically that one might wonder if it even exists in its original form. Today, you don’t have to wait for a scheduled airtime on one network — you can find any show and watch it whenever and wherever you like,” says OIAF Artistic Director, Chris Robinson. “While some may long for the ‘simpler’ days when choices were limited, this abundance has given rise to a wealth of original, daring works. Although discovering them can be more challenging, the reward is immense: many series break away from traditional formulas, conventional techniques, and familiar themes, embracing stories and characters that are striking, relatable, and memorable. The OIAF animated series competition offers just a glimpse into this vast, creative landscape.”
This year’s competition includes Beantown “Trial by Fire,” a sharp-witted satire exploring the quirks of urban life, and Chips episode “Chip Joins a Cult,” which blends absurdist humor with a unique animation style. Big Big Baby “Episode #1 – Hey Buddy” delivers a fresh comedic twist on childhood antics, following the oversized adventures of a not-so-typical baby and his unlikely companions.
Common Side Effects “Pilot” is directed by Camille Bozec, who also served as a storyboard artist on the acclaimed animated series Scavenger’s Reign. The new Adult Swim series follows two former high school lab partners as they uncover a conspiracy involving big pharma and a mysterious healing mushroom.
The competition also highlights international productions: One Minute Movies “The Wolf Ma’am,” from Switzerland and Austria, delivers bite-sized stories with a surreal twist, while Finland’s Tenderland offers a heartfelt and visually striking exploration of community and belonging. Eggland rounds out the lineup with its quirky take on animated storytelling.
The winner for Best Animated Series will be announced live at the OIAF Awards Ceremony on September 27 at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa.
The seven series selected for the 2025 Animated Series Competition are:
- Beantown “Trial by Fire” (dir. Mike Manor, United States)
- Big Big Baby “Episode #1 – Hey Buddy” (dirs. Travis Pelto, Shawn Golden and Joe Hingelberg, United States)
- Chips “Chip Joins a Cult” (dir. Maddie Brewer, United States)
- Common Side Effects “Pilot” (dir. Camille Bozec, United States)
- Eggland (dirs. Cole Kush and Chris Rutledge, United States)
- One Minute Movies “The Wolf Ma’am” (dirs. Nicolas Mahler and Stefan Holaus, Switzerland/Austria)
- Tenderland (dir. Juho Maurinen, Finland)
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