Independent animation is an art form that continues to thrive and develop as a breathtaking medley of styles, materials, techniques and production – from hand drawn, paint on glass, collage, sculpture, cut outs, puppets, abstract to some of the more interesting developments in CGI – all of which can be seen at this year’s LIAF.
We’ve emerged from under the pile of 2,700 entries to put together a series of screenings that showcase the best 97 new films from every corner of the world. They can be funny, dramatic, bizarre, subdued, scary or autobiographical. The one thing they have in common is that we think they’re the pick of the crop.
Eight international competition programmes plus our ever-popular British Showcase. Every technique, every genre, every style – this is your annual window into the international indie animation universe.
Some films need extra time to develop their themes, to grow and draw us more comprehensively into their worlds. This competition programme is dedicated to showcasing the best of these longer films. Seven longer short films, seven stunning stories including a poignant and funny depiction of depression, a breathtaking journey of self-discovery taken by a lonely young woman, and a priest acknowledging his darker side in order to strive for a better, more enlightened self.
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Black Sheep Boy (James Molle, France)
Following the advice of the giant cat outside his house, a little pixellated man sets off to find the wise lion. It is a quest that takes him through a colourful fairytale world reminiscent of early video games; a world of animals grappling with philosophical questions.
UK premiere
2019, 15min
Genius Loci (Adrien Merigeau, France)
One night Reine, a young and solitary person, sees in the urban chaos a lively and vibrant movement, a kind of guide. She doesn’t perceive her surroundings like the others. Chaos – whether in her head or in the city – attracts her, pulls her in.
2019, 16min
I Barnabé (Jean-Francois Levesque, Canada)
A luminous look at a desperate man’s existential crisis. During a night of stormy drunkenness, he receives a visit from a mysterious bird and is forced to reconsider his life.
2020, 15min
Peel (Samuel Patthey & Silvain Monney, Switzerland)
In a hidden place, the daily routine of a retirement home unfolds as time seems to stand still. The penciled residents come to life on paper. Some are active, others rest or follow a fixed schedule to be repeated each day: medication, meals, games… Around them, machines are flashing, caregivers are busy and some crucifixes remind them of the death that lies in wait.
UK premiere
2020, 15min
The Passerby (Pieter Coudyzer, Belgium)
A day in the life of two boys who ostensibly have nothing in common. It is the last day for one of them, the other still has his whole life ahead of him. On this summer’s day their paths unexpectedly cross.
2020, 16min
Naked (Kirill Khachaturov, Russia)
A man is accidentally endowed with superpowers. His only desire? For life to go back to normal. Vulnerable and lonely, he meets a woman who helps him accept himself for who he is. He doesn’t want to be a superhero, but he can’t help it.
UK premiere
2019, 15min
Mosaic (Imge Ozbilge & Sine Ozbilge, Belgium)
In the oldest city of the Middle East, a Kurdish student, a Muslim musician and a Christian girl form a multicultural mosaic. When ferocious sounds declare the arrival of war, a mysterious fish emerges to save them.
2020, 15min
