Animation Is Film is kicking off its ninth edition with something different: a TV show.

The Los Angeles festival announced its 2026 lineup, running October 16-19 at TCL Chinese 6 Theatres. For the first time ever, AIF opens with an animated series instead of a feature, bringing Dana Terrace’s Knights of Guinevere to the big screen. Terrace, the creator behind one of the decade’s most beloved animated series, returns to showrunning with this psychological thriller from Glitch Productions.

Nine features compete for prizes this year, led by Louis Clichy’s Iron Boy, which swept awards at Cannes and Annecy. Also in the mix: Leah Nelson’s Tangles, starring Abbi Jacobson and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Cartoon Saloon’s latest Julián, and The Violinist, winner of the 2026 Annecy Cristal.

The festival doubles as an awards season preview. Iron Boy has already played Toronto and New York, while Jim Queen caused a stir at Cannes. AIF also showcases first-time filmmakers like Masanao Kawajiri (Cherry and Virgin) alongside returning favorites like Sébastien Laudenbach, whose Chicken for Linda! won both jury and audience awards in 2023.

Special events include a 25th anniversary conversation with Cartoon Saloon founders, a behind-the-scenes look at Disney’s upcoming Hexed, and a work-in-progress peek at Matt Braly’s independently funded Clara and the Below.

For animators and fans tired of studios playing it safe, this festival matters.