Your Real-Time Contest Command Center
Countdown to Contest!
Rules and Theme will be livestreamed October 2nd at 15:00 PDT!
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Click the dropdown to see the announcement start time by time zone!
Rules & Theme Announcement time zones
HAWAII-ALEUTIAN DAYLIGHT TIME (HDT) – October 2nd at 1:00 pM
PACIFIC TIME (PDT) – October 2nd at 3:00 PM
MOUNTAIN TIME (MDT) – October 2nd at 4:00 PM
CENTRAL TIME (CDT) – October 2nd at 5:00 PM
EASTERN TIME (EDT) – October 2nd at 6:00 PM
BRITISH SUMMER TIME (BST) – October 2nd at 11:00 PM
CENTRAL EUROPEAN SUMMER TIME (CEST) – October 3rd at 12:00 AM
MOSCOW TIME (MSK) – October 3rd at 1:00 AM
DUBAI TIME (GST) – October 3rd at 2:00 AM
INDIA TIME (IST) – October 3rd at 3:30 AM
CHINA TIME (CST) – October 3rd at 6:00 AM
JAPAN TIME (JST) – October 3rd at 7:00 AM
AUSTRALIAN EASTERN TIME (AEST) – October 3rd at 8:00 AM
Welcome to your mission control for everything happening RIGHT NOW during the 24 HOURS Animation Contest for Students! This is where you’ll find livestream updates, judging criteria, contest support, and everything you need to survive and thrive during the most intense creative challenge of your life.
Teams Competing
TBD
Countries Represented
TBD
Films Submitted
TBD
Hours of Sleep Lost
TBD
Creative Energy Generated
∞
Contest Kickoff LiveStream
October 2nd at 3:00 PM PDT
Where: Youtube Livestream
What: Live announcement of theme with Special Guest (TBD)!
Contest Timeline
Contest Weekend
Livestream with Special Guest (TBD) on Youtube Livestream.
Friday October 2nd at 3:00 PM PDT
Contest Start
October 2nd 4:00 PM PDT
Submission Deadline
October 3rd 4:00 PM PDT
Extra Prize Deadlines
BTS Submission Deadline
October 5th 11:59 PM PDT
Team Name Graphic Submission Deadline
October 5th 11:59 PM PDT
Winner Livestream
Winner Announcement on Toon Boom Live YouTube channel
October 16th 12:00 PM PDT
Critical Reminders
Before You Start Creating
- Review the theme carefully – make sure you understand it
- Plan your story and pipeline BEFORE you start drawing
- Assign roles and responsibilities to team members
- Set up your workspace and test all equipment
- Download the official team name card template
Throughout the Contest
- Keep track of time – it goes faster than you think
- Take breaks to eat, hydrate, and rest
- Document your process for potential BTS reel
- Ask for help in the Discord if you need it
- Submit early if possible – don’t wait until the last minute
final hours
- Start rendering with plenty of time to spare
- Test your upload connection before submitting
- Double-check your film length (30 seconds maximum!)
- Verify your team name card is included
- Have backup submission plans ready
- Email: techsupport@24hourscontest.com
- Discord: Post for community help
- Submission Problems: admin@24hourscontest.com
- File too large? Compress your video
- Upload failing? Try different internet connection
- Software crashed? Save frequently and have backups
- YouTube link not working? Make sure video is public
- Contact local emergency services immediately
- Notify your faculty advisor
- Remember: this is a contest, not life or death
- Take breaks when you need them
- Ask teammates for support
- Contact campus counseling services if available
- Remember: everyone struggles during this challenge
Key Milestones
4 pm PDT- 12 am PDT: Story & Planning Phase
- Assign roles and responsibilities
- Understand the theme thoroughly
- Brainstorm and settle on your story concept
- Create basic storyboard
7pm PDT – 2 am PDT: Pre-Production
- Finalize character and environment designs and models
- Create style guide and color palette
- Create layouts, backgrounds and assets
- Record any needed audio
- Set up animation files and workflow
8 pm PDT – 11 am PDT: Animation Production
- Make it move!! Animate key scenes
- Focus on getting the full story animated
- Don’t worry about polish yet
3 am PDT – 11 am PDT: Post-Production
- Finish up effects animation
- Add sound and music
- Color correction and final touches
- Render final version
- Create multiple backup files
1 pm PDT- 4 pm PDT: Export, Upload, SEND!!
- Final quality check
- Add official team name card
- Upload and submit
- Celebrate survival!
submission information
submission portal
What You Need to Submit
- Your completed 30-second film
- Official team name card at the beginning
- Proper file format and size
- YouTube link for playlist
- Video file for google drive upload
Submission Checklist
- Film is 30 seconds or shorter (not including title card).
- Team name card is first (3 seconds, black background, white text- This does NOT count toward the final run time of your film).
- File uploads successfully.
- Team name matches registration EXACTLY.
- No personal or school names visible in film.
- Detailed instructions available on Rules page.
Late Submissions
There are NO exceptions to the deadline. Not even one second late. Plan accordingly and submit early if your film is ready!
For Educators Supporting Teams
Your Role During Contest
- Be present for theme announcement and contest start
- Check in periodically (you don’t need to stay 24 hours!)
- Provide motivation and time management reminders
- Help with logistical issues but NOT creative work
- Document the experience for your institution
What You CAN Do
- Ask guiding questions to help teams think through problems
- Remind students about deadlines and time management
- Encourage breaks for food, water, and rest
- Help troubleshoot non-technical issues
- Take photos for social media and documentation
What You CANNOT Do
- Draw, design, or create any artwork
- Provide technical solutions or software help
- Make creative decisions for teams
- Give specific answers to creative problems
need help?
Common Issues
- Having trouble settling on your story? Take a breather! Walk around outside your work area and drink some water to give your brain a reset.
- Still need help getting your story started? Check out Story Tips and Tricks with Mark Ackland!
- Need advice on prepping for production? Watch our video Animation Prep Talk with Mike Roberts!
- Wondering how to work with your team to make a cohesive film? Our Interview with Lesley Headrick may enlighten you!
- Don’t know how you can possibly finish in 24 hours? Check out our interview with Alessandra Sorrentino on how to use experimental techniques and shortcuts!
- Worried about the final hours editing and export? Check out our Post Production and Exporting with Frank Lima & Michelle Thompkins Lima!
- Technical problems with website or submission form? Try different browser/wifi or contact support
Contact Support
techsupport@24hourscontest.com
Rules Questions:
admin@24hourscontest.com
Last-Minute:
admin@24hourscontest.com
Response time: Within 24-48 hours during registration period
Live Community Feed
Share Your Journey
- Post progress shots and workspace photos
- Show your team collaboration process
- Document breakthrough moments (and struggles!)
- Use #24HOURScontest so everyone can find your posts
Discord & Facebook Group Activity
Join the real-time conversation with thousands of participants worldwide. Share tips, ask questions, and support other teams!
Judging criteria
The judges will be evaluating films using the following criteria
(10 points each)
1. Storytelling – Was the story clear, entertaining?
2. Art Direction/Animation – How was the production value of the film?
3. Creativity/Interpretation of Theme – How creative was the team’s interpretation of the assigned topic?
4. Level of Completion – How much of the film was completed?
Remember
This is supposed to be challenging AND fun. Support each other, learn from the experience, and create something amazing together!
Good luck, and may the caffeine be with you!