Blender animation contest

Submit a 5–30 second animation for free to compete for 9+ awards.

Create account to participate How to enter
Submissions October 15–31, 2026
Time until deadline October 31, 2026 · 23:59 UTC

Rules

Four simple rules.

  • Interpret the Speed theme into your animation
  • 5–30 seconds. A short loop or a longer story can both work
  • Use Blender as your main creation tool
  • Include a Blender work-in-progress image as proof of your work

Specialty awards have their own eligibility rules. See all awards

Have an ambitious idea for the contest, but rendering is the bottleneck?

If your idea needs more rendering power than your computer can handle, create a RenderJuice account and message us in the app. We review each request and can help you render it for free.

How to enter

Submit in three steps.

  1. 1

    Create a free RenderJuice account

    You do not need a subscription or payment details.

  2. 2

    Join Discord and run /join

    Enter your RenderJuice account email in the private form. Only RenderJuice admins can see it.

  3. 3

    Post your animation in #challenges

    Post your animation or public link, a short description, and one Blender work-in-progress image.

Create account to participate Join Discord

By entering, you agree to the Contest Terms.

Prizes

How the $5,000 prize pool is split

$1,500 in cash $3,500
≈195,000 GPU minutes. Value based on the included credits in the Studio plan. See how much you can render with it How GPU minutes work
Credit values use our public Studio plan pricing. See what you can render

Awarded render credits will be valid for 6 months from the day they are claimed

Major awards · Every submission can win

1st, 2nd, and 3rd place

Your animation can be funny, weird, scary, cinematic, abstract, technical, or anything else you want to make. Judges use the published 100-point scorecard.

Specialty Awards

More ways to win

If your animation doesn’t place in the top three, it can still win one of these awards if it matches the category.

Best RenderJuice promo Best use of RenderJuice in the idea or story.
$100 in cash
$300
≈16,700 GPU minutes. Value based on the included credits in the Studio plan. See how much you can render with it How GPU minutes work
$400 total value
How to be eligible

Make RenderJuice, our logo, or our rendering service part of your idea. Your animation should still interpret the Speed theme.

Best Procedural & Programmatic Animation Best animation made with procedural tools, code, or automation.
$100 in cash
$300
≈16,700 GPU minutes. Value based on the included credits in the Studio plan. See how much you can render with it How GPU minutes work
$400 total value
How to be eligible

Use Blender Geometry Nodes, Blender’s bpy API, the RenderJuice API, code, or another procedural or scripted workflow as a substantial part of your animation. This can include procedurally generating or modeling objects and environments, programmatically constructing or animating scenes, or automating the rendering pipeline. Mention the workflow and techniques you used in your entry. Your animation should still interpret the Speed theme.

Community Choice Chosen by public vote.
$100 in cash
$300
≈16,700 GPU minutes. Value based on the included credits in the Studio plan. See how much you can render with it How GPU minutes work
$400 total value
How public voting works

Public voting happens in Discord. Every entry is automatically included. Only 🔥 reactions on entry posts count. Voting closes November 3, 2026 at 23:59 UTC.

Best Simulation & FX Best use of Blender physics, simulation, or effects.
$100 in cash
$300
≈16,700 GPU minutes. Value based on the included credits in the Studio plan. See how much you can render with it How GPU minutes work
$400 total value
How to be eligible

Use Blender physics or simulation, such as particles, fluids, smoke, cloth, rigid bodies, or hair, as a substantial part of your animation. Mention the workflow in your entry. Your animation should still interpret the Speed theme.

Best Motion Design Best use of movement, timing, and graphic design to bring an idea to life.
$100 in cash
$300
≈16,700 GPU minutes. Value based on the included credits in the Studio plan. See how much you can render with it How GPU minutes work
$400 total value
How to be eligible

Create a motion design piece using animated typography, shapes, graphic elements, transitions, or abstract forms. It can be a seamless loop or a short sequence. Your animation should still interpret the Speed theme.

Funniest Animation Best joke or funny ending, even with simple animation.
$100 in cash
$300
≈16,700 GPU minutes. Value based on the included credits in the Studio plan. See how much you can render with it How GPU minutes work
$400 total value
How to be eligible

Build your animation around a joke or funny ending. It can be weird, meme-like, or intentionally scuffed. If the joke lands, it can win. Your animation should still interpret the Speed theme.

Additional Honorable Mentions

There is no fixed number of winners. Judges may recognize funny, weird, scary, experimental, or other standout entries. Each selected entry receives the credit shown here and a spotlight on our website and social media. Honorable Mentions are additional to the $5,000 prize pool.

Each selected entry $100
≈5,500 GPU minutes. Value based on the included credits in the Studio plan. See how much you can render with it How GPU minutes work

More reasons to at least participate

Every accepted entry gets a lasting feature.

You and your work stay featured forever

Your work stays on the contest page with your name or team and one portfolio or social link. When we share it elsewhere, we credit you there too.

A Blender community to create with

Share work in progress, trade feedback, and meet other Blender artists in Discord before and after you submit.

Judging and voting

How winners are chosen

RenderJuice admins select the Major and Specialty Awards. Community Choice is decided through public voting.

Major Awards

1st, 2nd, and 3rd place

Every submission can win a Major Award. Admins use the 100-point scorecard to choose 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place before reviewing the Specialty Awards. Length itself does not affect the score.

Major Awards scorecard 100 points total
Idea 30 points

The idea feels clear, creative, and memorable.

Animation 25 points

The movement feels clear, intentional, and well timed.

Visuals 25 points

The camera, lighting, colors, and overall look work well together.

Use of Speed 20 points

The animation gives the Speed theme a clear role.

We’ll publish a short judge’s note for each winning animation.

Specialty Awards

Best in each category

Judges then choose the strongest remaining submission in each category. They start with what the category asks for, then consider the idea, overall quality, and use of Speed.

Category requirements appear with each award.
Community Choice

Public voting

Voting takes place in Discord. React with 🔥 on a submission to vote. The submission with the most 🔥 reactions by November 3, 2026 at 23:59 UTC wins.

Votes decide Community Choice award only.
Why judges instead of public voting?

Public voting can favor large followings or coordinated campaigns. RenderJuice admins score every Official Entry against the same public criteria. Only Community Choice uses Discord reactions.

Questions

Contest FAQ

Submissions run from October 15, 2026 at 00:00 UTC through October 31, 2026 at 23:59 UTC.

Do I need a paid RenderJuice plan?

No. You need a free RenderJuice account. You do not need a subscription or payment details.

Why do I need to run /join in Discord?

Run /join before posting in #challenges. The private form asks for your RenderJuice account email, which only RenderJuice admins can see. We use it to confirm your account and award prizes.

Must I render with RenderJuice?

No. Blender must be your primary creation tool, but you can render anywhere.

Do I need to promote RenderJuice?

No. Any animation that fits Speed can enter. If RenderJuice is part of your idea, your animation can also win Best RenderJuice Promo.

Does my animation need to fit a specialty award?

No. Every submission can win 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place, regardless of style or technique. Specialty awards are additional ways to win.

Can a team enter?

Yes. List every team member and choose one person for contest communication.

How many entries can I submit?

Submit one animation per person or team. You can share as many work-in-progress and question posts as you like.

Can one animation win more than one award?

Admins award no more than one Major or Specialty Award to each animation. Community Choice is separate and may be won in addition.

Do I need to submit my .blend file?

No. Include a work-in-progress image with your entry. We may ask for private project or source-file evidence before confirming an award.

Can RenderJuice help me render my entry?

Yes. If your idea needs more rendering power than your computer can handle, create a RenderJuice account and message us in the app. We review each request and can help you render it for free.

Who owns my work?

You keep ownership of your work. By entering, you let RenderJuice share your entry with your name or team credit and one portfolio or social link.

October 15, 2026 at 00:00 UTC to October 31, 2026 at 23:59 UTC Get ready for the Speed contest.
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