30 Assignments. One Progressive Animation Journey. From Fundamentals to Professional Performance.

Organized by Animseeds, www.animseeds.com

Animseeds presents the 30 Shots 2D / 3D Animation Challenge, a progressive animation practice program created for students, aspiring animators, working professionals, and anyone who wants to strengthen their animation skills through consistent practical work.

The challenge takes participants from basic animation principles to advanced body mechanics, character performance, pantomime, dialogue, creature animation, acting, and professional shot development.

Instead of only watching tutorials or studying theory, participants will complete practical animation assignments one by one.

The objective is simple:

Practice. Analyze. Animate. Review. Improve. Repeat.

Challenge Dates

Start Date: 6 September 2026

End Date: 7 March 2027

Total Assignments: 30 Animation

Medium: 2D or 3D

Frame Rate: 24 FPS

Shot Length: 150 Frames

Maximum Duration: Approximately 6.25 seconds

Submission: Instagram or Animseeds WhatsApp Group

Who Can Join?

The Animseeds 30 Shots Animation Challenge is open to animators from all experience levels.

You can participate if you are:

• A 2D animation student

• A 3D animation student

• A self taught animator

• A professional animator

• A character animator

• A creature animator

• A game animator

• A film or television animator

• An animation enthusiast building a portfolio

• Someone returning to animation after a break

You do not need an expensive production setup.

The focus of this challenge is animation quality, not rendering quality.

2D and 3D Animators Can Participate

The same assignments can be completed in either 2D or 3D.

2D participants may use:

• Traditional animation

• Digital hand-drawn animation

• Rough animation

• Rig-based 2D animation

You can try Animseeds 2D software: Download link: https://www.animseeds.com/animation-software

3D participants may use:

• Maya

• Blender

• 3ds Max

• Cinema 4D

• Unreal Engine

Any software is acceptable as long as the final result demonstrates the animation objective of the assignment.

Important Technical Rules

Frame Rate

Every assignment should be created at:

24 FPS

2D animators may animate on ones, twos, or mixed timing where appropriate.

Maximum Shot Length

Each animation should be no longer than:

150 frames

At 24 FPS, 150 frames equals approximately:

6.25 seconds

You do not need to use all 150 frames.

A 48 frame animation with excellent timing is better than unnecessarily extending an action to 150 frames.

Weekly Submission

Participants should regularly submit their completed assignments through:

Instagram

Post your animation on Instagram and clearly mention:

30 Shots 2D / 3D Animation Challenge

Include:

• Shot number

• Assignment name

• Animator name

• 2D or 3D

• Animation software if desired

Participants are encouraged to tag Animseeds and use relevant animation challenge hashtags.

Recommended Hashtags @animseeds

#Animseeds#AnimationChallenge#2DAnimation#3DAnimation#Animator#AnimationPractice#CharacterAnimation#CreatureAnimation#RoughAnimation#AnimationExercise#AnimationTraining#PracticeMakesPerfect#NoAI

WhatsApp Group Submission

Participants may also submit assignments directly to the official Animseeds WhatsApp group.

The group can be used for:

• Assignment submissions

• Work in progress animation

• Blocking tests

• Reference sharing

• Questions

• Animation discussions

• Feedback

• Tips

• Daily practice

• Free sessions

• Community interaction

Join the WhatsApp Group

You can also access the community through the Animseeds Instagram social media bio.

Final Round Eligibility

Participants do not necessarily need to submit all 30 assignments to remain eligible for the final shortlist.

However, to qualify for consideration for the Final Round, a participant must submit a minimum of:

20 Assignments

Participants who submit fewer than 20 assignments will not be eligible for the final round shortlist.

Completing all 30 assignments is strongly encouraged.

Consistency, improvement, animation quality, understanding of the assignments, and overall performance may be considered during the final selection.

Top 3 Winner Prizes

At the end of the challenge, the top performers will be selected.

Top 3 Winners

The Top 3 winners will each receive an XP-Pen Deco mini7 V2 drawing tablet.

The challenge is intended to recognize participants who demonstrate strong improvement, consistent participation, animation understanding, effort, and quality of execution.

General Challenge Rules

1. Create Original Animation

Every submitted animation should be created by the participant.

Existing character rigs may be used.

Participants do not need to create their own rigs or models.

2. AI Generated | mocap Animation Is Not Accepted

The purpose of this challenge is to improve animation skills through personal practice.

AI generated animation, mocap animation should not be submitted as challenge work.

The animator should personally create, control, and refine the animation.

3. Reference Is Allowed and Encouraged

Video reference is highly recommended.

Professional animators regularly use reference to study:

• Weight

• Mechanics

• Timing

• Acting

• Gesture

• Balance

• Facial expressions

• Animal behavior

However, reference should be analyzed rather than blindly copied.

4. Keep the Presentation Simple

Advanced rendering is not required.

3D participants may submit:

• Playblasts

• Viewport captures

• Basic lighting

• Simple renders

2D participants may submit:

• Rough animation

• Line animation

• Cleanup animation

• Flat color animation

Animation quality is more important than presentation complexity.

5. One Clear Idea Per Shot

Do not add unnecessary actions just to make the animation longer.

Every shot should communicate one clear idea.

6. Follow the Assignment Objective

Participants may interpret the assignment creatively, but the core animation objective should remain visible.

For example, if the assignment is about lifting a heavy object, the animation should clearly demonstrate weight, effort, balance, and body mechanics.

Full details and breakdown of 30 assignments: download PDF

Best of luck. Excited to see your animation.