This programme ‘From Absurd to Zany’ celebrates some of the funniest, weirdest and eye-poppingly nutty films that were entered this year. Tales of murderous dreams, existential crises, destructive machines that just want to hurt us, a young girl’s anxiety about her appendix, an insane Jeff Bezos and the bakery he runs plus many more bonkers scenarios. Buckle up for a wild ride.
Independent animation remains a dynamic and evolving art form, showcasing a stunning array of styles, materials, and techniques—from hand-drawn and paint-on-glass to collage, sculpture, cut-outs, puppetry, abstract forms, and innovative CGI. This year’s LIAF highlights the most diverse and exciting developments within this vibrant medium.
After sorting through a huge pile of 2,400 entries, we’ve curated a selection of 83 outstanding new films from 31 countries. These films range from humorous and dramatic to bizarre, subtle, frightening, and autobiographical. What they all share is our belief that they represent the best of the best. These 8 international competition programmes showcase a variety of techniques, genres, and styles. This is your annual glimpse into the vibrant world of international indie animation.
ONLINE TICKETS AVAILABLE!
Gina Kamentsky’s Pinocchio in 70mm – Gina Kamentsky, USA
Pinocchio felt a longing deep within him. Someday, he would become a real girl and live a life beyond the confines of make-believe.
2024 3’10 min
Mee and Burd – Greg McLeod, UK
A post operative existential crisis inspires an animator to make a film about a post operative existential crisis.
2023 7’45 min
Human Resources – Trinidad Plass, Titouan Tillier & Isaac Wenzer, France
Andy, followed by a friend filming the scene, goes to his recycling appointment. Wanda, the secretary of the company, welcomes him. We follow Andy through the whole process, until his last seconds of life.
2023 3’30 min
No Room – Jelena Oroz, Croatia
In this film, cars have legs. Maybe that is why they feel free to use the pavement as they please. There is no room, but could we perhaps be a little more considerate?
2024 6’20 min
A Round of Applause for Death – Stephen Irwin, UK
A surreal, abstract journey through a series of murderous dreams, where Death takes centre stage and faceless spectators applaud the inevitable.
2024 4’50 min
Hurikán – Jan Saska, Slovakia/Czech Republic/France/Bosnia & Herzegovina
Hurikán rushes to save his favourite beer stand and impress the barmaid, by opening a new keg. In a gritty part of Prague, he faces off against thieves, police, and his own thirst. Although he retrieves the keg, he ultimately gives in to temptation.
2024 13’05 min
This film is not included in our online programme
Humanity – Tereza Kovandová, Czech Republic
Life is hard even without having to tolerate other people’s annoying habits. The problem is you can’t kill somebody just because they chew too loudly.
2024 7’40 min
Matta and Matto – Bianca Caderas & Kerstin Zemp, Switzerland
In a dystopian world where touch is forbidden, Matta and Matto offer refuge to the lonely at Hotel Vaip. In the deceptive labyrinth of mind-bending rooms at their transient hotel, deepest desires are fulfilled and surpassed, but this comes at a price.
2023 10’15 min
I Am a Robot – Sean Buckelew, USA
An autonomous vacuum cleaner, a self-driving car and a supercomputer confess their murderous innermost thoughts as they go about their day.
2024 7’05 min
Extremely Short – Koji Yamamura, Japan
A man sets out in search of the shortest thing in Tokyo, which turns out to be a single syllable uttered by a dying man.
2024 5’20 min
Let Them Eat Cake – Mathias Rodrigues Bjerre, Denmark
Jeff Bezos is an ambitious capitalist and businessman. This Jeff Bezos manages a local bakery and does everything in his power to satisfy his customers. EVERYTHING.
2023 11’00 min
Bunnyhood – Mansi Maheshwari, UK
“Mum would never lie to me, would she?” Innocent Bobby discovers the answer to this question when she is surprised by a last-minute trip to the hospital.
2024 9’05 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
