We’ve dug deep into the LIAF archives and have selected 16 of the best short animated films full of visually dazzling joy from all around the world, for kids of all ages and the whole family.
There’ll be talking animals, seriously fun adventures and tales that spark all those little imaginations. Animation is the most imaginative and engaging of all art forms and is the perfect platform to enthral and inspire the wide-open imaginations of kids. This programme, carefully selected with our youngest audience in mind, is always popular, and not a toy ad in sight.
Spring Jam – Ignas Meilunas, New Zealand
A young stag, lacking impressive antlers, knows he needs to improvise sweet music if he’s to have any chance during the mating season.
2016 5’35 mins
Mr Night Has A Day Off – Ignas Meilunas, Lithuania
Unsatisfied, Mr Night is walking around the town changing all things to black until everything is as dark as night.
2017 2 mins
Keep On Rolling! – Takashi Miike, Japan
An ambitious dung beetle can’t stop rolling poo. He perfects the art with every round thing he comes across.
2016 5 mins
A Rhino named Paul “Everybody sleeps” – Dave Schlafman & Mike Annear, USA
It’s bedtime, but a restless little rhino just isn’t ready to call it a day.
2015 2’40 mins
Dust Buddies – Sam Wade & Beth Tomashek, USA
A group of adorable dust bunnies live a humble, but happy existence until a dust-up with a determined maid gets them into an epic kerfuffle.
2016 4’05 mins
Deep Beneath The Earth – Kim Noce & Shaun Clark, UK
The only thing young Lucy likes is gaming on her Ipad. But when she loses it in the woods she is determined to get it back.
2017 3 mins
The One Who Tamed the Clouds – Julie Rembauville & Nicolas Bianco-Levrin, France
At the top of a canyon, the old Indian Flying Shadow teaches the young Nayati the ancient art of smoke signals.
2016 4 mins
Sabaku – Marlies van der Wel, Netherlands
When Sabaku’s best friend Buffalo passes away, he needs to find himself a new friend.
2016 2 mins
Water Path For A Fish – Mercedes Marro, France
In a Latin American town Oscar sleeps when a sudden gust of wind wakes him up. From his window he sees a goldfish in a dirty puddle, gasping for air.
2016 8 mins
Hamlet.Comedy – Eugeniy Fadeyev, Russia
A class of children go to see “Hamlet” with their strict teacher. When the children get bored, they start to laugh and wreak havoc.
2015 5 mins
About Coati – Alexandra Slepchuk, Russia
A delightful fable about how to turn your weaknesses into strengths.
2015 6 mins
Awesome Beetle’s Colours – Indra Sproge, Latvia
A lovely song to guide you through the alphabet.
2016 3’15 mins
The Red Herring – Leevi Lemmetty, Finland/Ireland
Are these penguins hungry or greedy?
2015 6’40 mins
Kochkunst – The Art of Cooking – Stella Raith, Germany
The cook wants to make a pancake but it fights tooth and nail against returning to the pan.
2016 3’15 mins
In the Forest of Forgotten Umbrellas – Dimitry Vysotskiy, Germany
Every night Dad tries to figure out what story to tell his little children.
2016 6’35 mins
Island – Max Mortl & Robert Loebel, Germany
On a small island a bunch of exotic creatures run across each other.
2017 2 mins
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.
The Garden Cinema
