On Saturday, May 16, 2026, East Los Angeles College and Cinema Without Borders will hold the 11th anniversary of the annual ELAC International Animation Day Festival, dedicated to European animation. The event will take place at East Los Angeles College. The focus country of the festival will be announced in mid-February 2026.
The goal of the ELAC International Animation Day Festival is to provide an in-depth and engaging introduction to contemporary international animation. The program includes screenings of short animated films from around the world, critical analysis, Q&A sessions with a panel of well-known animation experts, and a tribute to an international animation artist working in the U.S. animation industry.
Program Schedule
12:30 PM – Reception with snacks and soft drinks
1:15 PM – Opening Remarks
1:20 PM – Spotlight Presentation
A European-born animator living in Los Angeles will present one of their short films or a project they have worked on and discuss the creative process behind it.
2:00 PM – Tribute to a Legendary Animation Artist
A tribute to the late Raoul Servais, the master of Belgian animation. An animation historian will introduce Servais and his work, followed by the screening of one of his films.
3:00 PM – Screening
A 60-minute program of short animated films from the European focus country.
4:00 PM – Panel Discussion & Audience Q&A
A panel of animation industry professionals will discuss the screened films, followed by audience questions and a vote for the Best Film, which will receive Cinema Without Borders’ Bridging the Borders Award trophy.
4:40 PM – Closing Remarks
Organizers:
East Los Angeles College – East Los Angeles College (ELAC) is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). ELAC is one of nine colleges in the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) The College was established in 1945 and is situated in a secure, comfortable environment in the suburban community of Monterey Park, conveniently located 8 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. Our multicultural student body of over 30,000 students complements the communities that ELAC serves. ELAC grants Associate in Arts/Science (A.A./A.S.) degrees as well as Certificate Programs.
Cinema Without Borders Foundation is a non-profit organization supporting independent and international cinema and filmmakers. Cinema Without Border Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promote and introduce independent and international cinema. Cinema Without Borders (www.cinemawithoutborders.com) a CWB Foundation publication, is an international cinema webzine dedicated to covering and discovering the news, reviews, trends and new artistic milestones in independent film and filmmaking worldwide.
Supporting Organizations: Animation Magazine, Southeast European Film Festival LA, Polish Film Festival LA, Hungarian Film Festival LA, Scandinavian Film Festival LA, 360 Media
Thanks to: Kiana Hashemi, Rodrigo Garcia, Susan Morgan Cooper, Chale Nafus, Goli Chitsaz for their support
Co-Sponsor of 11th International Animation Day: Lonely Seal Company Group
The Lonely Seal Company Group includes Lonely Seal Releasing, The Lonely Seal International Film, Screenplay & Music Festival, and Lonely Seal Streaming.
The Lonely Seal Company is based in Redondo Beach, CA, We are deeply committed to telling stories “aching to be told.”
