RenderJuice is inviting Blender artists to interpret the theme of Speed in a free animation competition co-hosted by 3D artist Florin Flammer. Submissions open on October 15 and close on October 31, 2026, at 23:59 UTC. Participants must produce an animation between five and 30 seconds long, using Blender as their primary creation tool. The competition offers $5,000 in cash and rendering credits across nine main awards, with additional honorable mentions possible.
Participate HERE
The theme leaves considerable room for interpretation, ranging from short seamless loops and abstract motion graphics to character animation, effects simulations and cinematic sequences. RenderJuice does not require contestants to use its rendering service or purchase a subscription.
Procedural animation, simulations and motion design
Three technical award categories are particularly relevant to Blender users working with procedural systems and visual effects.
Best Procedural & Programmatic Animation covers projects that substantially use procedural generation, scripting or automation. Eligible workflows explicitly include Blender Geometry Nodes, the Blender Python API (bpy), the RenderJuice API and other scripted techniques. Procedurally generated objects and environments, programmatic scene construction or animation, and automated rendering pipelines can qualify. Entrants must explain the techniques used.
Best Simulation & FX focuses on Blender physics and simulation tools, including particles, fluids, smoke, cloth, rigid bodies and hair. Those methods must make a substantial contribution to the animation.
Best Motion Design recognizes animated typography, geometric forms, transitions and abstract graphics, with an emphasis on movement and timing. Both seamless loops and short sequences are eligible. Further awards cover funniest animation, a public-voted Community Choice and the best RenderJuice promotional animation. Promotion of the render farm is optional.
$5,000 in prizes, but not entirely cash
The prize pool comprises $1,500 in cash and $3,500 in RenderJuice rendering credits. The organizer estimates the credits at approximately 195,000 GPU minutes based on the included credit allocation in its Studio plan. That figure reflects the provider’s pricing model rather than a hardware-independent rendering benchmark.
First place receives $500 cash plus $750 in credits; second place $250 plus $550; and third place $150 plus $400. Each of the six specialty awards pays $100 cash and $300 in credits. The total across the nine awards is $1,500 cash and $3,500 credits. Awarded credits remain valid for six months after being claimed. Additional honorable mentions, outside the advertised $5,000 pool, may receive $100 in credits each.
RenderJuice also offers discretionary rendering assistance for entries that exceed the artist’s local hardware capabilities. Participants may request help through a free RenderJuice account, but assistance is reviewed individually and is not guaranteed.
Entry requirements and delivery
Entrants must create a free RenderJuice account, join the contest Discord server and complete the private registration process in #start-here. They then post their animation to #contest-submissions, supplying a five-to-30-second MP4 or a public video link, a short description and at least one Blender work-in-progress image.
A .blend project file is not required at submission, although RenderJuice may request project files or evidence of authorship before confirming an award. Individuals and teams can enter, with one animation permitted per person or team. Third-party assets can be used if the entrant has the necessary rights.
Creators retain ownership of their original contributions. Under the general contest terms, entrants grant RenderJuice a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence to display and promote submissions in connection with the competition and its results.
Submissions run from October 15, 2026, at 00:00 UTC until October 31, 2026, at 23:59 UTC. Full instructions and rules are available on the official contest page.
RenderJuice Speed Contest: Official rules and registration · General Contest Terms
