FoxNXT Back on the Lot 2026: Three $5,000 Animation Development Awards
FoxNXT, working with FBRC.ai, has opened Back on the Lot: Animation Edition to creators of original animated short films. The submission deadline is 26 October 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. Five to seven projects are expected to be screened at a showcase on the Fox Studios Lot, with three selected projects receiving $5,000 each in short-film development funding.
What kind of animation is eligible?
Entries must be horizontal-format animated shorts no longer than three minutes. The organisers welcome 2D, 3D, stop-motion, mixed-media and other animation approaches; use of generative AI is optional rather than required. Applicants may submit an original story and characters they own, or develop a storyline around a character included in the programme's reference gallery. Only one submission is permitted per creator or team.
Submission package
The official brief asks for the animated short, a pitch deck, visual-style references and character sheets. All material must be submitted through the linked online form before the deadline. An incomplete or late submission will not be reviewed. Creators should clearly identify their ownership of the submitted intellectual property and retain a copy of every submitted asset.
Development awards and next steps
The programme plans to screen five to seven projects and select three for $5,000 in development funding each. One final creator may receive a meeting with the head of FoxNXT, Jon Flynn, and an opportunity to pitch FOX Entertainment CEO Rob Wade. Crucially, a pitch meeting is not a production order or a guaranteed film deal; any further arrangement would require a separate agreement.
Organisers and rights
The call is presented by FoxNXT with support from FBRC.ai, an organisation that has publicly promoted the animation programme through its creator community. The official rules say creators keep ownership of their projects and that participation does not itself transfer licensing or exclusive development rights. The organisers nevertheless control selection and may change showcase arrangements; entrants should read the online terms carefully.
Apply and confirm logistics
The submission form is linked from the official call. Before submitting original or commercially sensitive material, verify the current rules, timetable and data-access settings on the organiser's site.
Official call and application
Verified against the organiser's published information on 23 October 2026. Always check the source for later updates.