Animation First 2026 will be taking place Tuesday, February 3, 2026 through Sunday, February 8, 2026. This is the ninth edition that will present six feature-length films, eight short film programs, with a special focus on Belgian animation, including classic and new films.

The festival will present one North American, three U.S. and two New York premieres of feature films. Over a dozen international filmmakers and professionals will join the festival for talks, a First Look presentation, and Q&A discussions. Animation Speak / Easy is back for a third year in a row. Also look for a juried competition for the new Francophone shorts. Virtual Reality experiences, Interactive stop-motion experience in the Tinker Lounge and hands-on workshops with animation artists will also be part of the festival.

During the nearly week of programming, the festival aims to entertain and engage audiences of all ages. View the festival program and find ticket links here: https://lallianceny.org