Welcome to Frame Fest 2026
Irelands 1st
Stop Motion Festival
Saturday
Sunday
Welcome to Frame Fest 2026
29-30 August, 2026
Ireland's First Stop-Motion Festival
Hosted by Stiúideo Fia
Lettermore, Connemara, Co. Galway
Frame Fest is Ireland’s first festival dedicated to the craft of stop-motion animation, taking place over two days in the dramatic landscape of Connemara on Ireland’s Atlantic coast.
Hosted by Stiúideo Fia, this free bilingual festival (Irish and English) brings together international artists, filmmakers, and emerging animators for a weekend of film screenings, talks, workshops, and creative events exploring the craft of handmade cinema.
Artists connected to leading studios including Aardman, MacKinnon & Saunders, Telegael, Nexus Studios, and Elk Studios will share insights into the making of some of the world’s most distinctive animated films.
Frame Fest brings together community, craft, and international animation practice, creating a space where artists and audiences can connect and where stories come to life frame by frame.
This is a free event, but registration is required as places are limited.
Designed by Christian Spurling
Festival Highlights
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Special stop-motion film screenings, including work connected to Captain Morten and the Spider Queen
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Artist talks and behind-the-scenes insights from international stop-motion professionals
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Hands-on workshops exploring puppet making, animation and storytelling
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Irish-language stop-motion screening for children
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The Best Irish-Language Stop-Motion Award, supported by TG4
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The Pota Café Stop-Motion Challenge for emerging animators
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Sketch & Walk in the Connemara landscape with artists
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Optional early morning Atlantic sea swim for festival participants
Programme 26
Discover the art of stop-motion animation with our hands-on workshops designed for all skill levels. From model making to puppetry, you'll gain valuable insights and practical experience.
Saturday
Programme
The Saturday programme features stop-motion animation screenings, guest talks and Q&As with animation practitioners, and puppet, set and process demonstrations.
Programme is subject to change.
10:30-11:00
Arrival & Welcome
Registration
11:00-11:15
Welcome & Introduction to Frame Fest
Overview of Programme
11:15-12:30
Curated Stop-Motion Screening
Irish and international stop-motion shorts
12:30-13:00
Practitioner Q&A
Conversation with Irish animations practitioners
13:00-14:00
Lunch Break / Open Studio Viewing
Informal access to puppets, sets & works-in-progress
14:00-15:00
Professional Talk: Performance & Character in Stop-Motion
Seamus Malone (Aardman)
15:00-15:45
Audience Q&A / Discussion
15:45-16:45
Tea & Dinner Break
Indie Pizza Trailer outside the Studio
17:00-18:20
Film Screening
Captain Morten and the Spider Queen
18:20-19:00
Professional Talk: Inside Stop-Motion Practice
Henry, Ragnor (Nuku), Paul
19:30
Pub Gathering
Call for Films
Frame Fest invites submissions of stop-motion and frame-by-frame animated short films from established and emerging filmmakers, students, independent artists, and studios.
We welcome films that explore the creative possibilities of stop-motion, including puppet animation, model animation, cut-outs, mixed media, and experimental or hybrid approaches. Narrative, experimental, documentary, and process-led works are all encouraged.
Selected films will be screened at Frame Fest and will be eligible for the Frame Fest Awards, celebrating excellence in stop-motion storytelling, craft, and creativity.
Key Details
Film length: Up to 10 minutes
Completion date: Within the last 5 years
Languages: All languages welcome (English subtitles required)
Submission fee: €5, free for students
Key Dates
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Opening date: 6 April 2026
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Deadline: 25 May 2026
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Notification: 22 June 2026
Awards
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TG4 Best Irish Language Stop-Motion Animation Award
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Frame Fest Best Stop-Motion Short
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Frame Fest Excellence in Craft & Process
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Frame Fest Spirit of Stop-Motion Audience Award
2 Day Sop Motion Challange
Working in teams of three, you’ll have just two days to develop, design and animate an original stop-motion film inspired by the people, place and spirit of Connemara and POTA Café.
Key Dates
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Deadline: 31st July 2026
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Notification: 7th August 2026
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Challange: 27th - 28th August 2026
Awards will be chosen by the Audience
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€500
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€300
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€200
Stay in the know.
Sign up to the Stiúideo Fia newsletter to get updates on Frame Fest and more!
Where is Frame Fest?
All screenings, talks, workshops, and activities will take place at or be hosted from Stiúideo Fia’s facilities in Lettermore.
Location
Stiúideo Fia
Eastát Tír an Fhia, 8A, Teeranea, Co. Galway, H91 YY43
Sign Up Now
Join us for a weekend that inspires creativity and develops skills for aspiring animators and artists.
Secure your spot today!
Sponsors & Funders
