^{Credit: Arco (Neon), Little Amélie or the Character of Rain (GKIDS), & Olivia and the Invisible Earthquake (Filmax, KMBO)}

Eight films have been shortlisted in the feature animation category at the 38th European Film Awards. Among the submissions are Arco, which Neon has picked up for U.S. distribution, and Little Amélie or the Character of Rain, which is being released through GKIDS. Last year's European Film Awards winner for Best Animated Feature Film was Flow, which ultimately won the Academy Award. European Film Award winners that went on to be nominated for the Best Animated Feature Oscar include Robot Dreams, Flee, Loving Vincent, My Life as a Courgette, Song of the Sea, Chico and Rita, and The Illusionist.

Check out this year's eight shortlisted animated films below: 

Arco, Directed by Ugo Bienvenu (France)

Balentes, Directed by Giovanni Columbu (Italy, Germany)

Checkered Ninja 3, Directed by Anders Matthesen & Thorbjørn Christoffersen (Denmark)

Dandelion’s Odyssey, Directed by Momoko Seto (France)

Dog of God, Directed by Raitis Abele & Lauris Abele (Latvia, United States)

Little Amélie or the Character of Rain, Directed by Maïlys Vallade & Liane-Cho Han (France)

Olivia and the Invisible Earthquake, Directed by Irene Iborra Rizo (Spain, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Chile)

Tales from the Magic Garden, Directed by David Súkup, Patrik Pašš, Leon Vidmar, & Jean-Claude Rozec (Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, France)

According to the European Film Awards rules for the animation category, "There are five nominations in the category EUROPEAN ANIMATED FEATURE FILM. Based on the EUROPEAN FILM AWARDS ANIMATED FEATURE FILM SELECTION, three to four of the nominations are voted for by the Academy Members. The Academy Board can add up to two nominations in this category. The board’s nominations need to be agreed on by the majority of the board members present at the nomination meeting." The rules also indicate that the shortlisted animated films are eligible to compete for Best European Film, the award show's highest honor.

Nominations will be announced on November 18, while the 38th European Film Awards ceremony is set to occur on January 17, 2026. 

Nick Spake is the Author of Bright & Shiny: A History of Animation at Award Shows Volumes 1 and 2. Available Now!