The London International Animation Festival (LIAF) is the UK’s largest, longest-running animation festival, screening annually since 2003. This programme is a snapshot of the most recent festival – 8 short films that promise to inspire, delight and challenge the notion that animation is merely for the 3D CGI blockbuster genre or cute cartoons for kids. Independent animation is an art form that continues to thrive and develop as a breath-taking medley of styles, materials, techniques and production – from hand drawn, paint on glass, collage, sculpture, cut outs, puppets, abstract, sand/salt, to some of the more interesting developments in CGI – all of which can be seen in this programme.
An Ostrich Told me the World is Fake and I Think I Believe it – Lachlan Pendragon, Australia
When a young telemarketer is confronted by a mysterious talking ostrich, he learns that the universe is stop motion animation.
2022 11’40 min
Flutz – Ryan McCown, USA
A rivalry between two figure skaters, their coaches and a witch.
2023 7’55 min
Now That I’m Thinking – David Gelfand, USA
Feeling lost in his day-to-day existence, Red has trouble making a decision that could potentially change his life.
2023 8’15 min
Crab Day – Ross Stringer, UK
As part of a fishing community’s annual ritual, a young boy must kill his first crab in order to become a man and gain his father’s approval.
2023 11’00 min
The Wooden Ghost – David Daenemark, Czech Republic
A terrifying experience of flesh, blood, wood and feathers as a sculptor carves a statue of a young woman.
2023 11’15 min
Fur – Zhen Li, USA
A weird, creepy crush gone mouldy.
2022 6’30 min
The Final Nail in the Coffin – Conor Kehelly, Ireland
A mother and son are stuck. A father is obsessing over a plank of wood in his living room. A businessman is looking for a lost hammer.
2023 9’50 min
All is Lost – Carla Pereira & Juanfran Jacinto, Spain
The Pérez family are an almost normal family, although their behaviour is somewhat dysfunctional. The couple plans to fertilise an egg she laid last night.
2022 7’00 min
