The Wellington Animation Film Festival (WAFF) returns from 19 - 22 to March 2026 at the Roxy Cinema, celebrating the artistry, innovation, and storytelling of animation from around the world. Now in its third edition, WAFF offers an international programme of nine feature films, five short film collections and a series of industry-focused panels, showcasing the variety and creative possibilities of film at a local and international scale for Wellingtonians and festival-goers.
WAFF 2026 brings international prestige and diversity, screening films from France, Japan, China, South Korea, Canada, Belgium, Luxembourg, the UK, and New Zealand. The programme spans a broad range of genres - from ecological adventures and musical animation to dramatic works - appealing to children, teens and adults alike. Notable creators include Belgium’s Amélie Nothomb, French playwright Jean-Claude Grumberg, British author Guy Bass, and Canadian multidisciplinary artist Kid Koala. C.A.F.E. (Creative Aotearoa French Exchange) Chair Marie Tricart highlights that “the 2026 line up is incredibly diverse. It’s a place to experience the world's best animation that Aotearoa doesn't always have access to. Asia is a strong, vibrant influence, reflecting the growing, creative animation power across the region - the primary inspiration for artist Claire Wastiaux’s festival poster and WAFF's overall graphic direction. It also features a landmark New Zealand-China co-production that bridges cultures through its powerful family narrative. Together, these works bring distinctive visuals, deep human stories, and bold artistic perspectives that enrich the festival’s international vision and celebrate animation's global language.”
Seven films will have their New Zealand premiere as part of the festival, including award-winning titles from various regarded international film festivals. Highlights include; Cannes Film Festival winner Dandelion’s Odyssey which follows four dandelion seeds propelled into the cosmos after Earth’s destruction; Annecy award-winning drama The Square set in North Korea; Annecy 2025 Jury Award-winning romantic fantasy ChaO, where an ordinary office worker receives an unexpected marriage proposal from a mermaid princess; and Golden Globe and Oscar-Nominated film Little Amélie and the Character of Rain focuses on life’s simple pleasures as Amélie discovers the world one taste of chocolate at a time.
Other titles include; Stitch Head, where a Mad Professor's quirky-creature-inventions bring humor and chills; Space Cadet which follows an aspiring young astronaut and her devoted robot on a touching silent musical journey through space; a Cannes Main Competition selection The Most Precious of Cargoes - a deeply moving tale of survival and compassion set during one of humanity's darkest hours; Into the Mortal World, set in ancient China where divine descendants and mortal heroes unite in an adventure filled with magic and hidden truths; and the first New Zealand/Chinese co-production (made in Auckland) Mosley, the bravest of the Thoriphants in a magical prehistoric world on his perilous quest for freedom. Mosley features the voices of veteran Kiwi actors Lucy Lawless, Rhys Darby and Temuera Morrison.
The festival will also present the Annecy Best of 2025 collections, award-winning shorts for audiences of all ages that showcase poetic, funny, and deeply moving animated films from around the globe. Emerging international and local talent will be on show with French student films presenting fresh European perspectives, while New Zealand student films compete for prestigious prizes in Aotearoa. Tricart says “our student screening will showcase the next generation of animation talents. Selected films will be screened at The Roxy Cinema in Miramar alongside the main festival program, offering emerging animators visibility within New Zealand's thriving film and screen industry and connection to the international animation scene. This initiative was led by Loic Girault, board member of C.A.F.E., having graduated himself from a prestigious school in France in recent years.” The festival also features a curated programme highlighting women’s voices in animation - Female Landscape: Animation, a collection of shorts by talented female filmmakers from around the world - an initiative from UNESCO Creative Cities of Film and Nic Marshall, who curated this collection from Screen Wellington.
In addition to screenings, WAFF will host Industry Dayz for the first time in a standalone venue, in partnership with the VFX Guild and led by Bree Loverich. The programme, titled; From Dream to Reality, will explore how creative ideas become viable projects, the development of trust and collaboration across teams, and pathways for sustainable production in animation, VFX, and creative technology. Sessions will also be available online, extending access to practitioners beyond Wellington. Industry Dazy story highlights include The Rotten Cores, Bloke of the Apocalypse, Mosley, Bad Jelly the Witch, Rascal, DozeFace Animation, Wētā FX, Island of Mystery, OhuFX and 808 Ltd.
The Wellington Animation Film Festival is run by C.A.F.E. in partnership with the Annecy International Film Festival and with support from the French Embassy, Institut Francais, Screen Wellington and Wētā FX.
WAFF 2026 promises a celebration of animation in all its glorious diversity. From poetic shorts and epic features to pioneering industry insights, this is Wellington’s dedicated showcase for the animated world.
Head HERE for all the programme details!
And head HERE for the awesome WAFF 2026 Trailer