YouTube’s latest Animation Trends Report says independent, online animators are expanding what is possible in animation and reshaping the entertainment industry. The report highlights audience demand for independent animation, which points to growth in online indie production rather than a broad decline.

The OIAF 2026 call for entries states that there are no entry or registration fees and that "only animated works completed after May 31st, 2025 are eligible." It specifies that films must be submitted as online screeners and that "submitted works must be original, and have some level of (non-algorythmic) human involvement in their creation" and that "works that are fully AI-generated are not eligible." While the page details categories and eligibility, it does not provide comparative statistics on how many independent films are submitted now versus in the 2010s.

The OIAF submissions FAQ explains that the festival accepts "Independent or commissioned films" in various categories, including works for adult audiences and children. It clarifies that the festival has categories for "Independent Short Films," "Student Animation," and "Commissioned Films" and that only one episode per series is allowed in TV/series categories. However, the FAQ focuses on rules and does not publish year-by-year figures for how many independent animations are submitted or selected.

This Statista topic page compiles statistics on the animation industry, including the number of animated feature films released worldwide and their box office performance. One chart covers "number of animated feature films released worldwide" in recent years, showing that annual production has risen compared with the early 2010s. However, the charts do not explicitly separate independent animated features from those produced by major studios, so they reflect total output rather than specifically independent production.

Cartoon Brew reports that YouTube’s 2026 report, titled “Animation’s New Wave,” argues that independent, online animators are not just participating in the entertainment industry but actively reshaping it. The article says the report cites strong audience interest in independent animation and notes crowdfunding as an important driver of modern animation production.

Zippy Frames reports that "22 animation features have been selected for this year's two competitive sections Annecy Festival (23-26 June 2026)." It notes that the selection, as usual, is "a mixed bag of independent productions, auteur-driven works and studio releases" representing different countries. The article lists several European and Asian independent or auteur films among the selections, suggesting that independent feature animation continues to be represented in major festival lineups, though it does not provide numerical comparisons to the 2010s.

A 2024 Cartoon Brew industry piece notes that independent animated features are facing "growing challenges in securing global distribution" as major streamers reduce acquisitions and focus more on in-house IP. The article quotes producers who say that financing indie animation is "harder than it was in the mid-2010s" and that some projects that would have been greenlit a decade ago are now stalled. At the same time, the piece points out that the number of independent animated features being produced globally appears to be "at least stable, if not slightly up" thanks to new production hubs in Europe, Latin America and Asia, even if many titles struggle to reach international audiences.

The National Film Board of Canada remains a major institutional producer and distributor of independent and auteur animation. Its ongoing release slate shows continued production activity in the 2020s, though this is only one institution and cannot establish a global trend.

The article states: "The number of animated feature films produced globally increased by 20% from 2018 to 2022." It also notes: "By 2026, 45% of animated feature films are projected to be produced by independent studios, signaling a shift in the industry's power dynamics." Additionally, it says that on average "around 100 to 150" animated feature films are released globally each year, including both mainstream and independent productions.

Summarizing YouTube’s Animation’s New Wave report, 80 Level writes that “independent online animators are proving the exception, creating original IP that attracts huge audiences without the backing of a major studio.” It cites the survey finding that “61% of fans aged 14–24 enjoy watching indie animated series on YouTube as much or more than series created by a major studio.” The article frames this as evidence that independent creators in the 2020s are a significant and growing force in animation, rather than a sector in decline.

YouTube’s Culture & Trends team publishes research and reports about creator ecosystems, including animation. This is a primary corporate source for platform-level trends, although it does not provide a long-term global production count for independent animation.

The market research report notes that the global animated films market was valued at USD 264.9 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 587.1 billion by 2033, at a CAGR of 8.3% during 2024–2033. It describes growth drivers such as increasing demand for animated content across theatrical releases, streaming platforms, and television, and mentions that both major studios and independent producers are contributing to the expanding supply of animated films.

Industry discussion in the 2020s has emphasized creator-led and crowdfunding-backed animation distributed on YouTube, Vimeo, and similar platforms. This context is relevant because it suggests that measuring independent animation production only through traditional studio channels may undercount activity.