Welcome to our annual deep-dive into the dark heart of animation. Here you will find several films featuring hideous humanoid insects, a mutant praying mantis seducing and preying on innocent men, a strange animal in the middle of a desolate forest searching for something to nourish with its tears 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 77 outstanding new films from 30 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.
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Overture – Jakub Hronský, Czech Republic
A humanoid insect’s presence continuously alters and transforms the surrounding world of a Bratislava housing estate.
2025 7’05 min
Praying Mantis – Joe Hsieh, Taiwan
A mysterious woman prowls the city at night, drawing men into her web as she explores the dark depths of maternal instincts.
2025 18’05 min
This film is not included in our online programme
Dark Globe – Donato Sansone, Italy / France
Human beings have become war machines, unstoppable destroyers of everything that surrounds them. Is there still hope for the future or are we stuck in an endless nightmare?
2024 3’20 min
The Devil Room – Duban Pinzón, Colombia
In the confines of a single room, a child living with his grandparents is drawn to confront the mystery of death as unsettling occurrences escalate during his grandfather’s final moments.
2025 12’00 min
Fia – Luciana Martinez, Argentina
A strange animal survives a fire and walks through a burned forest, desperately searching for its home. Its nest is in ashes. In the midst of its pain, it discovers moisture in its tears and embarks on a sensory search for something alive to feed on.
2024 5’45 min
Facuk – Maida Srabovic, Croatia / Slovenia
In a God-fearing village, giving birth to a “fačuk”, an illegitimate child, is a mortal sin. In this harsh, rural environment, fear grows inside the young pregnant woman who is about to give birth at any moment.
2025 12’50 min
This film is not included in our online programme
Underground Invaders – Shera Courtalhac, Ines Molinier, Victor Lesaffre, Maëlle Metaireau, Dana Guyot, Ines Dolivet & Meggie Bernier, France
Three young adults, obsessed with the horrors of the modern world, find themselves trapped in the depths of a sprawling underground subway that progressively transforms into a giant, nightmarish organic mass eager to assimilate them.
2024 8’30 min
The Exploding Girl – Caroline Poggi & Jonathan Vinel, France
For the past three months, Candice has been exploding every day. Sometimes even 2 or 3 times a day. Her record is 7 times.
2024 19’00 min
Our Funding Partners
With Special Thanks to The Elf Factory, official sponsor of LIAF 2025.
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 Horse Hospital is a three tiered progressive arts venue in London providing an encompassing umbrella for the related media of film fashion, music and art. For more information about The Horse Hospital and how to get there, find out more.
Horse Hospital, Online
