Sheridan College Takes First and Third at 24 Hours Animation Contest
Seven winning teams shared more than $107,000 in prizes at the 2026 contest, which drew 670 entries judged by organizers.
Teams from Sheridan College in Canada won first and third place at the 2026 24 Hours Animation Contest for Students, organizers announced. The first-place team was FIVEGUYS, and 500lb Tungsten Cube took third.
Second place went to The Whomp Whomps of California State University, Long Beach in the United States. Seven winning teams shared more than $107,000 in prizes, according to cartoonbrew.com.
The contest theme, "Everyone Calm Down," was announced by Daniel Chong, director of Hoppers and creator of We Bare Bears. Organizers judged 670 films.
Bald Guyz from the University of Technology, Jamaica won the Behind-the-Scenes Prize. Other award-winning teams came from Brazil, China, Jamaica and the United States.
Screenings and Lightbox Expo
The first-place film screened at Animation Is Film on October 18. Lightbox Expo will host a selection of winning films from the past decade and a panel with past winners and judges on October 25.
The free competition, now in its 24th year, has drawn more than 22,000 students from 377 schools across 50 countries over its history. Aubry Mintz, the contest's founder, hosted at California State University, Long Beach.
Quick answers
Who won the 2026 24 Hours Animation Contest for Students?
FIVEGUYS of Sheridan College took first place, The Whomp Whomps of California State University, Long Beach took second, and 500lb Tungsten Cube of Sheridan College took third.
What was the theme of the 2026 contest?
The theme was "Everyone Calm Down," announced by Daniel Chong, director of Hoppers and creator of We Bare Bears.
How much prize money was awarded?
Seven winning teams shared more than $107,000 in prizes.