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 11 of the best true life stories coupled with mind-blowing imagery.
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.
The Waiting – Volker Schlecht, Germany
A biologist describes her research into various species of frogs in the rainforest of Central America and their mysterious disappearance as if it were a criminal case.
2023 15’30 min
Handmade Happiness – Vivien Mason, Australia
Our Uniform – Yegane Moghaddam, Iran
An Iranian girl unfolds her school memories through the wrinkles and fabrics of her old uniform. She admits that she’s nothing but a “female” and explores the roots of this idea in her school years.
2023 7’00 min
Doubt – Adéla Křižovenská & Ondřej Vomočil, Czech Republic
The creative process can be a fearful and sometimes terrifying struggle. How does the artist overcome these feelings?
2023 5’40 min
Box Cutters – Naomi Van Niekerk, France/Netherlands/South Africa
A young woman recalls the terrible day when she was attacked by three men on her way home, but daily life must resume its course.
2023 8’25 min
Somerton Man – Leigh Young, Australia
In the summer 1948, a well-dressed man was discovered dead on the beach at Somerton Park. No injuries, no identification, and every label removed from his clothing. There was no one missing who fit his description. A dead man with no name.
2023 9’45 min
Diaphony – Selle Sellink & Mirjam Debets, Netherlands
Three people share their experiences of the pandemic. The common link they share is finding comfort through music.
2022 7’10 min
The Skatebook – Sofia Negri, UK
The thoughts, memories, hopes and fears of the expanding skateboarding scene in London.
2022 5’10 min
Magda – Adela Kaczmarek, Poland
In the Winter of 1939 Magda, an excellent skier, joined the Polish Resistance and helped by bringing fugitives across the mountains into Slovakia. But a group of Nazi soldiers were experienced skiers too.
2022 9’05 min
K8 – Miguel Anaya Borja, Mexico
A desperate call for help from some policemen ambushed by members of an organised drug trafficking syndicate.
2022 5’40 min
On Film – Emma Hough Hobbs, Australia
Animated digitally, On Film explores the technology behind shooting on film, how to tell when a film is shot on film and why there’s an enduring passion and appreciation for the format.
2022 5’45 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
