This programme examines some big life moments and asks some pointed questions. The 11 powerful films include a highly personal look at suicide whilst worrying about the effects on your wife and child, a tropical island’s rise to riches and its ultimate fall into ruins, a spirited tin-foil lithographic imagining of a vibrant she-horse encompassing true feminine power and a touching film-within-film puppet animation with a very surprising ending.
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.
Rosemary A.D (After Dad) – Ethan Barrett, USA
As he cradles his newborn, a father wonders if his daughter would be better off without him and imagines her life once he is gone.
2022 9’40 min
Two One Two – Shira Avni, Canada
A love letter to motherhood, parenting on the spectrum, and two-headed monsters everywhere.
2023 4’10 min
Island – Michael Faust, Israel
The history of a small secluded island over the course of several millennia reveals a telling lesson about human nature.
2022 7’40 min
Miniature Garden – Kannosuke Enomoto, Japan
What do these creatures kept by humans think about in their lives? And how do we humans feel about the situation?
2023 7’10 min
Love Bubbles – Marcel Hobi, Switzerland
Floating on a pink cloud as a couple is easy. It is much more difficult to cope with everyday life and the future together.
2023 7’30 min
This film is not included in our online programme
Été 96 – Mathilde Bedouet, France
A picnic on Callot Island. Paul, his family, their friends, find themselves trapped by the tide. Paul, upset, stuck between the world of adults and children, becomes aware of his individuality.
2023 12’10 min
The Creators – Madeleine Homan, UK
In another dimension, the Creators are working on a project. Gradually they come closer to a result. But creating something can be hard work, even for them.
2023 4’30 min
A Tiny Man – Aude David & Mikael Gaudin, France
Perplexed by his wife’s body, a man sneakily administers a mysterious serum supposed to make her lose weight quickly. But the tables are turned.
2022 10’10 min
Mom is Always Right – Marie Urbánková, Czech Republic
If I squint, will I stay cross-eyed forever? Will I really have muscles like Popeye if I eat lots of spinach? But most importantly – do mums always tell their children the truth?
2023 7’30 min
I Am a Horse – Chaerin Im, South Korea/Denmark
A stunning portrayal of women born with half of their bodies that of a horse and the other half a tiger.
2022 8’00 min
This will not be a Festival Film – Julia Orlik, Poland
This time, Julita decided to make a film not for the festival laurels, but for her family. Although the task seemed simple, something went wrong.
2022 8’00 min
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
