The 24 Hours Animation Contest for Students (24hourscontest.com), an international competition challenging students to create a short animated film in just 24 hours, has announced its 2025 winners — marking a record-breaking year of sponsorship, participation, diversity and emotional impact.
This year’s contest theme: “Flip Your Perspective!” was announced by special guest Pete Docter, Chief Creative Officer at Pixar Animation Studios. Almost 800 films were judged and 7 teams walked away with prize packs valued over $130,000, which included cash awards, studio swag, art books, software, festival passes and drawing tablets.
Now in its 23rd year, the competition — founded and led by animator, educator and contest creator Aubry Mintz — continues to highlight emerging talent from regions often underrepresented in the global animation industry.
“With winners from India, France, Israel and Canada this year — and past winners from Thailand, Brazil and Lebanon — we are showcasing incredible talent from every corner of the globe,” said Mintz, “These students are just as gifted as those from Ivy League schools in the U.S., and seeing their reactions when their films are recognized by industry judges is nothing short of magical.”
Winning teams share more than global recognition — each receives $15,000–$25,000 in prizes from major studios and industry sponsors, offering life-changing opportunities to young artists who grew up inspired by those very companies.
A unique feature of the contest is its Behind-the-Scenes (BTS) Award, encouraging teams to document their creative journey in a short two-minute film. This year, one BTS submission in particular captured the judges attention — a moving entry from Utah Valley University’s team “Milksong.” Their film reflected how the contest became a source of healing and connection after the assassination on their campus of Charlie Kirk.
“While watching the BTS films, this story deeply moved me. The team described how this contest brought them together in the wake of tragedy. It was a powerful reminder of how creativity unites and heals — even in the darkest times,” Mintz shared. “We’ve seen teams from Israel, Lebanon and Russia compete amid war and political upheaval, while others faced hurricanes, fires, and personal trauma. What inspires me most is how this contest becomes a lifeline — a way for students to feel heard, connected and supported. It’s a global event, but it feels like a family.”
The public were able to watch the winning film on the big screen at Animation Is Film Festival on Sunday, October 19, and top winning films from the last 10 years along with a panel from past winners at LightBox Expo on Friday, October 24,at 2 p.m. (Rm. 209/210) or on the 24 Hours 2025 YouTube Playlist. The behind-the-scenes highlights are available to watch here, and you can see past winners on this YouTube Playlist.
24 Hours, hosted by Mintz at California State University, Long Beach, has grown into the largest student animation competition in the world, with more than 18,000 students from 312 schools across 50 countries participating over the years.This international contest is free to enter.
The 2025 contest’s films were judged by Toby Cochran (Netflix, Disney, Marvel), Tale Linh Do (Netflix, Paramount, DreamWorks), Nina Gantz – BAFTA and Annie winning (Edmond, Wander to Wonder), Howie Hoffman (Trix Rabbit, Bugs Bunny), Daria Khil (DreamWorks), Lucija Mrzljak (Eeva, Toonekurg), Nigel Tierney (Lil Dicky, Bad Bunny, Willow, DreamWorks, Disney, YouTube) and Carol Wyatt (Rick and Morty, Over the Garden Wall, The Simpsons).
24 Hours Contest 2025 Winners:
First Place — Team Afterimage | Indian Institute of Technology (India)
Second Place — Team P4SSWORD1234 | Sheridan College (Canada)
Third Place — Team Cabillaud | EMCA (France)
First Runner Up — Team Aroomkü | Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design (Israel)
Second Runner Up — Team The Pack | Sheridan College (Canada)
Best High School — Team In Fifth Place… | Sisler High School (Canada)
Behind the Scenes Prize — Team Furnarius Rufus | Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (Brazil)
