Animated Shorts Challenge 2025

A new competition-based programme to help content creators develop world-class animated shorts.

Submit before 6 June 2025

Our Objectives

What is the Animated Shorts Challenge?

The Animated Shorts Challenge is a platform to uncover Malaysia’s next generation of World-class Shorts Animation creators. By bridging creators with international opportunities, it opens doors to regional and worldwide recognition.

The theme for the animated shorts is open/general. However, all submission must highlight Malaysian stories, showcasing the nation’s unique culture, values, heritage, or everyday life. The duration for animated shorts is within 3 – 15 minutes.

 It is a competition, the winners will be offered funding, expert mentorship, and industry guidance to bring original ideas to life. It equips local talent with the tools to craft compelling, globally competitive animated content.

Get up to

RM 100,000.00

of prize money to deliver a completed
Animated Short Film

Up to 6-months project duration

Eligibility Criteria

  • Incorporated in Malaysia for not more than Five (5) years under the Companies Act 1965 or Companies Act 2016;
  • Active and a minimum of 51% equity held by Malaysian(s);
  • Not the subject of liquidation/winding up/bankruptcy order;
  • Not a winner under any of the categories of Digital Content Creators Challenge in the preceding year; cooling period is two (2) years to re-apply; and
  • On going grant recipients of MDEC, FINAS, and My Creative Venture is not eligible to participate.
  • Has no going concern issue and/or is not dormant.

Animated Shorts Challenge Process Flow

Call For Submission

Call For Submission

  • All applications must be submitted online.
  • Kindly click on the Apply Now button below to submit, no later than the respective date.
  • Pre Screening - Upon closing of the submission, a due diligence will be conducted on the applications received.

Masterclass Workshop

Masterclass Workshop

  • All Applicants must attend a Masterclass Workshop by international experts before the Pitching Session.
  • Priority is given to Masterclass Workshop attendees who complete at least 2 out of 4 training sessions before the Pitching Session.

Pitching Session

Pitching Session

  • Eligible applications will be invited for a pitching session to present their project ideas to the Animated Shorts Challenge panel of judges.
  • All successful and unsuccessful applications will be notified of the official result through email after the pitching session.

Mentoring Session

Mentoring Session

  • The winners are given six (6) months depending on the category to complete the selected project.
  • Within that duration, the winners are to undergo a compulsory mentorship programme with selected mentors.
  • The winner(s) and mentors will meet on a monthly basis as per the schedule provided by MDEC.

Submission for Awards

Submission for Awards

  • Winners are required to submit completed Animated Shorts to relevant awards or festivals and provide proof of submission to MDEC within six (6) months of the project completion.

Disbursement

Disbursement

  • The claim process will be based on the progress milestone claims, which is based on completed submission and achievements of the verified deliverables by mentors.
  • The winners will be notified once the claim has been approved.

Timeline

Join Animated Shorts Challenge 2025 Now!

Seize the opportunity and apply now to be part of this groundbreaking programme!

Join the Animated Shorts Challenge 2025 and gain access to expert-led workshops and mentorship sessions, along with MDEC’s support to bring your animated shorts to the international stage.

 

Get In Touch

Looking for more information? Drop us an email and let us know how we can help you.