UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Happy Valley Animation Festival, an international competition that showcases compelling animated works by student, early career and practicing professional artists, designers and filmmakers, returns to Penn State's University Park campus March 26-28, for its fifth year. All events are free and open to the public.
Works range from animated short films and experimental animation to animated motion graphics and design and push the innate ability of animation to communicate across cultures.
The festival takes place on the Penn State University Park campus, with open- and student-award winners and official selections featured in screenings and exhibitions at the HUB-Robeson Center's Flex Theater and the Palmer Museum of Art.
HVAF is a collaboration between organizers, volunteers and academic partners and is supported by the Digital Arts and Media Design Program and the School of Visual Arts at Penn State.
Events
Please note: Some animations may contain mature themes or language and may not be suitable for younger viewers.
HVAF 2026 Official Selection Screening
7:30–9:30 p.m., Thursday, March 26, Flex Theatre, 132 HUB-Robeson Center, University Park
Public screening of official selections in the international open and international student animation categories.
HVAF 2026 Showcase of Award Winners Screening
6:30–8:30 p.m., Friday, March 27, Flex Theatre, 132 HUB-Robeson Center, University Park
Public screening of selected award winning animations and official selections in the international open and international student categories.
HVAF 2026 Continuous Screening Loop
1–5 p.m., Friday, March 27, 131 HUB-Robeson Center, University Park, PA 16802
Public screening of official selections in the international open and international student animation categories continuously screening on loop for drop in viewing.
HVAF 2026 Palmer Museum Screening
Noon–4 p.m., Saturday, March 28, Palmer Museum of Art, University Park
Public screening of official selections in the international open and international student animation categories.
More information
For more information, visit the Happy Valley Animation Festival website.