Since the dawn of cinema puppet animation has provided some of the most mesmerising films ever made and puppet animators have been among the most revered. Breathing a kind of life into inanimate puppets is a very special form of magic and this programme showcases the continuing vibrancy of this technique.
Puppet films should always look like they were handmade. The movements are not always clean, super smooth and flawless. The characters in the films should ‘feel’ real…. because they are! It is these quirks and wonderful little imperfections that make these films so special and define some of the most important elements of a puppet film.
These thought-provoking, moving and downright bonkers short puppet films have been made by some of the most talented independent animators in the last few years from their different bunkers around the world, in Spain, Portugal, Greece, Belgium, Canada, Australia, Poland and the UK, proving that tangible and physical stop-motion and puppet animation is alive and well and in rude health in the 21st century. Long may it prosper!
All is Lost – Carla Pereira & Juanfran Jacinto, Spain
The Pérez family are an almost normal family, although their behaviour is somewhat dysfunctional. The couple plans to fertilise an egg she laid last night.
2022 7’00 min
Falling For Greta – Gustavo Arteaga, UK
When love comes knocking Greta’s world is turned upside down. As her passion grows things get tangled but there is hope in the shape of water.
2023 11’15 min
Ana Morphose – Joao Rodrigues, Portugal
A little girl reads herself to sleep. As she dozes off, the physical world starts melting into an alternate reality where the contents of a book rule over the laws of physics.
2023 9’45 min
From the Top – Rich Farris, UK
Things haven’t gone quite the way Robin expected them to, so she decides the time has come to get rid of her drum kit. But giving up her passion might not be as simple as she anticipates.
2023 8’10 min
Ready – Eirini Vianelli, Greece/Belgium
A peek into the unseen world inside the grand Greek Parliament building and the people who work there, finding the comedy in mundane, bizarre, hilarious everyday, and throwaway moments – aren’t we all human after all?
2023 11’00 min
This film is not included in our online programme
Tiny – Ritchie Hemphill & Ryan Haché, Canada
The heartwarming story of ‘Nakwaxda’xw Elder Colleen Hemphill’s childhood. Modern day Colleen reflects on her past as a young girl growing up on a float-house in the wild Pacific Northwest and its waters.
2022 16’15 min
An Ostrich Told Me the World is Fake and I Think I Believe it – Lachlan Pendragon, Australia
When a young telemarketer is confronted by a mysterious talking ostrich, he learns that the universe is stop motion animation.
2022 11’40 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
The Puppet Theatre Barge is a unique, fifty-seat marionette theatre on a converted barge based in London. The theatre presents puppet shows for children and adults and is moored in Abingdon-on-Thames, Little Venice and Richmond-upon-Thames throughout the year find out more.
Online, Puppet Theatre Barge
