'We Are Aliens,' 'Praying Mantis' Win Top Prizes As 'Ball Face' Makes Student Film History At OIAF 2026

At the 50th Ottawa International Animation Festival, We Are Aliens and Praying Mantis won the feature and short-animation grand prizes. Student short Ball Face became the first film in the festival’s

Winners of the Grand Prizes for Feature and Short Films

Kohei Kadowaki’s *We Are Aliens* won the grand prize for feature animation at the 50th Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF 2026), while Joe Hsieh’s *Praying Mantis* took the grand prize for short animation. *We Are Aliens* weaves everyday scenes together episodically, capturing the drama, comedy, and unexpected connections within ordinary moments. *Praying Mantis* was recognized as a short that explores maternal instinct through dark metaphors and violent imagery.

Ball Face Makes History With Four Awards

The film that received the most awards was Lawrence Therrien’s claymation student short *Ball Face*. It won the Audience Award, the Helen Tangye Award for Humor, the Student Animation Award, and the Canadian Student Award, becoming the first film in OIAF history to sweep four categories in a single year. Its premise—having the protagonist change its own form in order to belong—uses the physical qualities of clay to reveal the anxiety and awkwardness of trying to conform to others.

From Annesy’s Award to Four Wins in Ottawa

*Ball Face* received the Crystal in the graduation film category at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival last June. It then became the first film to win four awards at Ottawa in a single year. With this award, the short-film grand prize winner *Praying Mantis* became eligible for consideration for the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film.

Source: OIAF Official Awards List, Cartoon Brew