Otafest 2026 AMV Contest - Finalists Announced

[Quillfire]

Another year, another contest! Otafest’s 2026 AMV Contest is now open and accepting entries to anyone who wants to submit an AMV video into competition.
You do not need to be present at the event to enter, but attendance is always encouraged when possible.

FINALISTS

Here are our finalists (credit name only). The Contest will be on Saturday night in the Main Events room and the best of the non-finalists will be played Sunday in the AMV Room just before the winners are shown in Main Events. Good luck to everyone!

AbyssBreakingStudios
Bale Wayner
BasicObservations
Chiterra
Dreamerjordi
ElektricAngel
Elixir
Ileia
Indigo Team
James Blond
Josie Ø
KOCHiiKUN
Luminis (x2)
ManicMonday
mtagstyle
Reinhart AMV
ResyAMV
Rider4Z (x2)
SasukeChanx
Sayoria
ShadowCore AMV (x2)
ShinRyu
shorisquared
SilkAMV (x2)
Synæsthesia Productions
TheGreatTobeast
unaccetpable
xmssleti92x (x2)
ZeonicFreak (Lightning Bear Studios)

__________________________________________

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Friday, April 10, 2026

SUBMISSION RULES & ENTRY FORM

Quick Rules Summary:

• The duration limits for each submission are as follows:
  - AMV Entries: 1 minute 15 seconds minimum, 6 minutes maximum.
  - Trailers, Commercials or Intros: 30 seconds minimum, 3 minutes 30 seconds maximum.
• No more than 2 entries per person/group.
• No subtitles, watermarks, logos, credits, references to other contests or text that is unnecessary to the concept.
• Must not have premiered before June 1, 2025
• The majority of your entry’s video content must consist of anime-styled or manga-styled content.
• Audio for all AMV entries (except Trailer/Commercial/Intro) must be majority music. No excessive dialogue.
• Must be age 14+ appropriate.
• AMV-Hell style entries will not be accepted.
• Must satisfy our technical requirements.
• No music and/or dialogue generated by voice-cloning technologies (deepfake audio).
• Entries created using Machine Learning technologies (AI) and not the creation of the entrant will be disqualified.

Awards:

• Special Awards
  - Up to a total of 7 special awards will be given out.
• Judges’ Top Awards
  - 1st Place (Best in Show) and Runner-up
• Audience Favourite
  - 1st Place and Runner-up

Awards and prizes will be given out at the event, however If you are unable to attend the festival and you win something, you will be notified after the event by email. Your mailing address will then be requested so that any awards and prizes may be sent to you.

Good Luck to everyone!

Rory Mahood
Otafest 2026 AMV Coordinator

[Quillfire]

Contest deadline has been extended by one week to April 10, 2026.

[Quillfire]

Looks like another great contest this year. Just 2 weeks left until the deadline!

[Quillfire]

Finalists announced (opening post)!