Welcome to our annual deep-dive into the dark heart of animation. Here you will find films featuring a blind sculptor and his countless failed experiments, corn husk skulls, mental armadillos, evil twin babies, skeletons, maggots and death everywhere. Step in, take a seat, turn out the light and get ready for our annual showcase of all manner of dark, creepy, strange, violent and spooky films.
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.
VENUE & ONLINE TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE!
Playing God – De Matteo Burani & Arianna Gheller, Italy/France
A clay sculpture comes to life in the darkness of a workshop, surrounded by strange creatures.
2024 8’55 min
Duck – Mic Graves & Tony Hull, USA
One stormy night, Bex’s plans for a Chinese takeaway are disrupted when she nearly kills a mysterious old woman.
2024 8’15 min
As I was a Tree – Jalal Maghout, Germany
In a surreal odyssey, the Self seeks escape.
2024 10’40 min
Little Other – Andres Tenusaar, Estonia
Two babies are about to be born. One of them is bound to be a regular child. The other is destined to be a trickster. But how to determine which is which?
2024 12’00 min
Madeline’s House – Eliska Dvorackova, UK
A little girl, Madeline, takes us on a tour of her beloved childhood home. The more rooms we explore, she slowly remembers the strange and disturbing events that led to her death.
2023 3’20 min
Dolores – Cecilia Andalón Delgadillo, Mexico
Dolores is a 7-year-old girl who just wants to play, runs away from a fire demon and accidentally falls into a grave.
2024 8’15 min
Sleepy – Igor Voloshin, Russian Federation
Thirteen-year-old Varka lives in a shoemaker’s home where she performs the duties of nanny and housemaid. Varka’s only wish is to get some sleep.
2023 13’30 min
Drizzle in Johnson – Ivan Li, Canada
A scientist obsessively seeking the answers of the universe is thrust into a mind-bending odyssey of grotesqueries and genitalia.
2023 20’40 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
