This programme ‘From Absurd to Zany’ celebrates some of the funniest, weirdest and eye-poppingly nutty films that were entered this year. Forget the mainstream. This is the strange stuff – the offbeat, unruly and gloriously unhinged shorts that live somewhere beyond the edges of normal. Expect deadpan madness, surreal detours, twisted laughs and beautifully bonkers ideas. Come curious. Leave slightly confused.
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 2,300 entries, we’ve curated a selection of 75 outstanding new films from 29 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.
Several filmmakers will be in attendance to introduce their films at the start of the screening.
I Have A – Rory Waudby-Tolley, UK
A man lists the things that he has.
2026 4’40 min
Paradaïz – Matea Radic, Canada
Welcome to a place where the houses have holes, tomatoes are ticking time bombs and snails wander the streets in search of a safe space.
2025 9’25 min
Little Boarlet – Atsushi Wada, Japan
A little story about a little boarlet.
2026 3’35 min
Unidentified Nonflying Objects – Sasha Svirsky, Germany
When the world beyond a carefully controlled order begins to seep through its walls, stability starts to rot from within. As reality takes root like wild organic growth, the system faces an inevitable collapse.
2026 12’05 min
This film does not screen in our online programme.
Mucky – Christa Jarrold, UK
In a world where pigs live much like humans, two old pig friends chat over pints when one reveals a radical new life choice: she’s stopped wearing clothes and returned to wallowing in mud, just like her ancestors.
2026 1’25 min
Funfair – Éva Darabos, France, Hungary
A young woman struggles with the challenges of adulthood and her aching wisdom tooth. Her inner struggles come to life in a surreal amusement park.
2026 13’00 min
If you buy an online ticket for this programme, this film is only viewable in the UK.
Time Flies – Tommaso Zerbi, Italy, Belgium, Portugal, Finland
A snail is crushed by a car, a dog defecates while a tourist jumps from the tallest skyscraper in the world. A series of slices of everyday life spirals into chaos, culminating in the destruction of daily monotony.
2026 4’35 min
Babyface – Sacha Beeley, UK
Spoon finds a coupon!
2026 5’55 min
Quantum Jump – Šimon Mészáros, Czech Republic
In a surreal mansion, a servant to enigmatic twins breaks free from their conditioning and outsmarts them – only to plunge into a magical orchard where reality decays into echoes. Amid the ruins of meaning, he discovers the strange promise of renewal.
2026 10’20 min
Five Orphans – Sarina Nihei, France, Japan, Germany
Five orphans walk along a ditch and find dead bodies in a society where protests against the government are on the rise.
2026 11’10 min
If you buy an online ticket for this programme, this film is only viewable in the UK.
A Pint of Bitter – Conor Kehelly, Ireland
You are trying to enjoy a quiet pint in the pub but a patron and his son seemingly have a problem with your demeanour.
2025 9’00 min
Our Funding Partners
With Special Thanks to The Elf Factory, official sponsor of LIAF 2026.
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
