The ASIFA-East Animation Festival is one of the longest-running animation festivals of its kind, having debuted in 1969. Hosted by ASIFA-East, the Eastern U.S. chapter of the Association Internationale du Film d'Animation (ASIFA) based in New York City, the festival showcases groundbreaking independent and commercial animation. Each year, entries are submitted by filmmakers and judged during jury screenings by the organization's members, with an awards ceremony held in the spring. The festival is a significant event for the local animation industry, appealing to both professionals and novices.