The Animayo Gran Canaria festival, known as Spain's only qualifier for the Academy Awards in two categories and now also for the Annie Awards, has revealed the winners of its 2026 edition. The Brazilian short film '18 Months' and the Portuguese work 'Porque hoy es sábado' lead the list of awardees.
The Grand Jury Prize was awarded to '18 Months', a stop-motion production inspired by real events. The piece tells the adoption story of an abandoned baby in New York by an LGTBIQ+ family, thus securing direct entry into the pre-selection for the Oscars and Annie Awards, and solidifying its international relevance.
Meanwhile, 'Porque hoy es sábado' received the award for Best Animated Short Film with Ñ. This work offers an intimate perspective on motherhood and the responsibilities often assumed by women, and will also compete for both international accolades.
The 2026 edition marks a milestone for Animayo as it joins the official list of qualifying festivals for the Annie Awards, considered the most prestigious awards in animation worldwide. This achievement underscores its role as a platform for nurturing new talent within the global industry.
The festival received nearly 2,000 short films from 78 countries, officially selecting 75 works. France, Spain, and the United States had the highest participation. The jury, comprising professionals from renowned studios like Disney, Pixar, and DreamWorks, highlighted the prevalence of stories focusing on family diversity, care, and emotions, reflecting a growing trend towards more human narratives in animation.
Other awarded titles include 'Pigeons' for its artistic direction, 'Only Rats' as best independent short film and for social awareness, and 'Bestias de la Muerte', which won the Audience Award. The winning works will now embark on an international tour through the Animayo Itinerante program, with stops in cities such as Los Angeles, New York, Madrid, and Lisbon.
