This programme ‘From Absurd to Zany’ celebrates some of the funniest, weirdest and eye-poppingly nutty films that were entered this year. Tales of cannibalism at sea, Werner Herzog’s musings on how to hypnotise a chicken, existentialist terror in the office, a charming love story about a man and his cow plus many more bonkers scenarios. Buckle up for a wild ride.
Independent animation is an art form that continues to thrive and develop as a breath-taking 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 2,400 entries to put together a series of screenings that showcase the best 86 new films from 41 countries around 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. 8 international competition programmes. Every technique, every genre, every style – this is your annual window into the international indie animation universe.
My name is Edgar and I have a Cow – Filip Diviak, Czech Republic/Slovakia
Edgar’s ordinary life is disrupted by a newborn calf he sees on a tourist trip to a slaughterhouse. He takes it home after finding out that the calf is likely to become a schnitzel.
2023 7’45 min
Hairy Situations – Dal Park, Germany
A hairdresser struggles to keep up with her demanding clients.
2022 1’30 min
World to Roam – Stephen Irwin, UK
Mother and Father lay the child in his cot at the same time every night. However, come morning, only a shallow crater remains; a baby-shaped depression. The boy was destined to be a wanderer.
2023 12’20 min
Aaaah! – Osman Cerfon, France
Aaaah! is a cry of pain, surprise, fear, joy, songs, grumbling, laughter, anger… Aaaah! is the expression with which children experience life in a community, framed by the whistles of adults.
2022 4’40 min
7 Missing – Yuval Katz, Israel
Agent M, a post-traumatic agent, embarks on a transformative mission to retrieve 6 missing agents from a mysterious shaman.
2023 7’00 min
The Garden of Heart – Olivér Hegyi, Hungary
A young aspiring painter with low self-esteem is in his last round of interviews at the Academy of Fine Arts. While waiting for his interview, his demons appear before him in the form of garden pests.
2022 10’30 min
This film is not included in our online programme
The Happy Resort – Lotta Mayerle, Germany
Are you unhappy or unproductive? Don’t worry, the Happy Resort is here to help! Let scientifically proven algorithms and individual treatments get the best out of you.
2022 5’10 min
Drijf – Levi Stoops, Belgium
Two people adrift at sea are fighting a bloody battle for the survival of both themselves and their relationship.
2023 14’55 min
Nothing to Expect – Franz Impler, Germany
Isolation leads to strange mental states. A journey through the circling thoughts of a lonely protagonist, which eventually merges with reality.
2023 3’30 min
Good Mates and Drum n Bass – Freya Amy Buckland, UK
Herzog’s Chicken – Lukas Conway, Canada
Chickens are idiots. How to hypnotise a chicken by Werner Herzog.
2023 1’00min
Our Funding Partners
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
