Persuasive, illustrative and able to get over abstract details in attractive and compelling ways, animation is the perfect tool to document someone’s vision of the truth. This past decade has seen a boom in non-fiction films that use animation to tell their stories and LIAF has been one of the vanguards with our annual showcase dedicated to the documentary form dating back to 2008. This year’s programme features 10 of the best true-life stories coupled with mind-blowing imagery.
Independent animation remains a dynamic and evolving art form, showcasing a stunning array of styles, materials, and techniques – from hand-drawn and paint-on-glass to collage, sculpture, cut-outs, puppetry, abstract forms, and innovative CGI. This year’s LIAF highlights the most diverse and exciting developments within this vibrant medium.
After sorting through a huge pile of 2,300 entries, we’ve curated a selection of 75 outstanding new films from 29 countries. These films range from humorous and dramatic to bizarre, subtle, frightening, and autobiographical. What they all share is our belief that they represent the best of the best. These 8 international competition programmes showcase a variety of techniques, genres, and styles. This is your annual glimpse into the vibrant world of international indie animation.
Several filmmakers will be in attendance to introduce their films at the start of the screening.
Good Luck to you All – Cordell Barker, Canada
A young girl plays with her toys, unaware that she may be holding humanity’s future in her hands… As the voices of experts swirl around her, the question remains: which is the bigger threat – artificial intelligence or human nature?
2025 8’15 min
The Thrift Store Photograph – Tom Schroeder, USA
I bought a photograph in a thrift store in 1982 because it reminded me of a scene in Blade Runner.
2026 6’15 min
Noguchi’s New York – Animated Playgrounds – Nicolas Ménard, Jack Cunningham, UK
Five short animations reinterpreting Isamu Noguchi’s unrealised children’s sculptural playgrounds from the 1930’s to 1960’s.
2026 4’15 min
Uncle Filmi – Nazgol Kashani, Germany
A lively family gathering for full-body hair removal is stormed by Islamic revolutionary guards. They are looking for video tapes of banned Hollywood movies.
2026 13’55 min
This film does not screen in our online programme.
This Feminine Side – Alice Siniscalchi, Belgium, Finland, Portugal
Femininity, defined and reimagined, through Lisbon’s queer voices and mixed-media art.
2025 7’25 min
It Might Even Be Real – Yael Bonne, Israel
Investigating the mechanisms at the heart of cinema and animation, an Israeli animator seeks to convince her mind to embrace the illusion of hope—just as it embraces the illusion of movement.
2025 7’10 min
Christine Sinclair: Kind of a Big Deal – Eoin Duffy, Canada
An intimate story about the most prolific goal scorer in international soccer history, and the power of quiet leadership.
2026 8’45 min
The Flames of Me (Je m’appelle Daniel) – Daniel Léger, Canada
Created with fire and soot, this animated short recounts one man’s journey through shadow and light after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder in his thirties.
2026 10’00 min
Mr. Why – Jan Cechl, Czech Republic
A short film about logic and time travel starring the most important logician in modern world history, Kurt Gödel, close collaborator of Albert Einstein.
2026 6’20 min
Nonna Lucia – Marcel Barelli, Switzerland
My grandmother Lucia died and left behind many objects. Many, many objects.
2026 7’00 min
Our Funding Partners
With Special Thanks to The Elf Factory, official sponsor of LIAF 2026.
With Special Thanks to the Arts Council England
Event supported by Film Hub London, managed by Film London. Proud to be a partner of the BFI Film Audience Network, funded by the National Lottery.
Venue
Opened in March 2022, The Garden Cinema screens repertory seasons and new releases from around the world. Being truly independent, they choose films that are worth seeing, films you’d be happy to see more than once. Films of all genres that are true to life, well made, that left us feeling better or wiser for having seen them. For more information about The Garden Cinema and how to get there, find out more.
Online, The Garden Cinema
