We’ve selected 20 of the best short animated films from the most recent editions of the UK’s largest, longest-running animation festival – films full of visually dazzling joy from all around the world, for kids of all ages and the whole family.
Programme 1 is aimed at younger kids, 0-7 year-olds and Programme 2 is for older kids, 8-15 year-olds but both programmes can be enjoyed by children and their families of all ages.
Like childhood, animation is full of wonder and simple pleasures. The London International Animation Festival has long been at the forefront of championing storytelling that inspires the imaginations of children and adults alike and this selection of films features diverse viewpoints and stories told in stylistically striking ways. A feast of seriously fun adventures and wondrous tales to spark those little imaginations.
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Matilda and the Brave Escape – Ash Reed, UK
Narrated by Bella Ramsey. After being raised on a pig farm in the UK, Matilda the pig decides to undergo a brave and daring escape in order to save herself and her piglets. However, the farmers have a different plan for Matilda and set out to bring her back.
2024 7 mins
Buckshot – Trevor Hardy, UK
Tension boils over when a neighbour goes next door to borrow a saucepan.
2024 8 mins
Passing By – Hanna Kang, South Korea
A girl unexpectedly bumps into her childhood best friend and finds herself torn between rekindling their lost connection or letting the moment slip away forever.
2025 9 mins
The little one and the Giant – Isabela Costa, Brazil / France
In a world recovering from a disaster, a little hamster meets a giant plant creature afraid to go outside. Together they face new challenges, and make a plan to re-flourish the land.
2025 9 mins
The Night Tunnel – Annechien Strouven, Belgium / France
After digging a tunnel on the beach two kids from different sides of the world meet each other. Together, they dig their way to the North Pole where they discover a magical way to go back home.
2024 9 mins
Freak of Nature – Alexandra Lermer, Germany
A shy and lonely creature is too scared to leave the old circus cage it once was trapped in until it finds a little seedling to care for. A story about personal growth and the process of overcoming fear.
2024 8 mins
Lulina And The Moon – Marcus Vinicius Vasconcelos & Alois Di Leo, Brazil
Lulina draws her greatest fears on the infinite white ground of the Moon. Magically, her illustrations come to life and teach her that her problems are not as monstrous as what her imagination depicted.
2023 14 mins
Rise Age – Tatjana Theuer, Germany
The unexFluorescent critters groove through a coastal world, led by a superior choir. Their carefree crawl, however, is increasingly disturbed by the rising seas.
2024 5 mins
