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 12 of the best true life stories coupled with mind-blowing imagery.
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.
After the screening some of the filmmakers will take to the stage for a panel discussion moderated by Samantha Moore. We are pleased to be welcoming Livvy Seabrook-Wilkins, Martin Pickles, Isolda Milenkovic, Chantal Peten and Lewis Heriz.
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Better Man – Eliška Jirásková, Czech Republic
The stories of three men who use exercise as a way to cope with inner traumas that have often resulted in low self-esteem.
2025 6’05 min
I am a Rebel – Martin Pickles, UK
Veteran British animator and Oscar-winner Bob Godfrey describes how he got started in Animation and the losses of one era ending and the excitement of a new one beginning.
2025 4’55 min
Azkena – Ane Inés Landeta & Lorea Lyons, Spain
Lorea’s reference points are her mother and grandmother. Through these two generations she observes the bond that women have experienced around motherhood. Now it is up to her to decide whether or not to become a mother herself and to look for answers to pending questions.
2024 9’05 min
Mealitancy – Marie Royer & Zinia Scorier, Belgium
Through audio recordings taken in the field and poetic moving images, the film portrays activists who use food as a tool in their anti-consumerist struggle.
2024 12’05 min
Strokes of Wildflowers – Livvy Seabrook-Wilkins, UK
Stroke survivors share their stories about the mental and physical struggles they face and the importance of community within their recovery.
2025 3’45 min
Biting the Hand that Feeds You – Chantal Peten, Belgium / France
The contest is called “Payday,” and Chantal is in a rush because she has a lot to say on the subject. For once, she ticks all the boxes: director, woman… She’s ready to start taking notes, drawing… But all too soon, her everyday reality comes rushing back.
2025 5’55 min
On Hannah Fields – Lewis Heriz, UK
A patch of land in Derby, UK, is adopted by an ex-NHS Psychiatric Nurse and transformed by a cyclical system of recovery. A poetic portrait of a place, the people who support it and that it supports.
2024 3’25 min
Tiny Film about Rape – Tereza Nebe Motýlová, Czech Republic
Harrowing tales of sexual violence told from the survivors point of view.
2025 9’05 min
Warp and Weft – Isolda Milenkovic, UK
A love letter to the act of hand-making, traditional craft practices, and the people who love them. Stemming from the fear of these artforms slipping away in a society that no longer values the human labour behind them.
2025 3’45 min
The Mustached Clown Circus – Ana Comes, Tomas Alzogaray Vanella & Paz Bloj, Argentina
In a Latin American country, a child’s notebook recounts a series of horrifying events that happened at the Big Moustache Clowns Circus.
2025 10’40 min
Polio – Klára Kubenková, Czech Republic
Jaroslava shares her story of growing up with polio – a disease that stole part of her youth, but gave her friendships that lasted a lifetime.
2025 5’05 min
Winter in March – Natalia Mirzoyan, Armenia / Belgium / Estonia / France
Helpless in the face of a repressive state, a young couple leaves their home – an escape that turns into a surreal nightmare.
2025 16’20 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
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
