Explore the infinite possibilities of animation with this global tour of a medium being used to tell a stunning variety of inventive, expressive, entirely unique tales.
This collection of shorts includes everything from a daring lunar adventure, to a family-friendly parable directed by Renée Zellweger, to a romance between a meatball and a tuna can. These stories, told through paint, pixels, and even pasta, reveal the enormous imagination and formal creativity found in modern animation.
– Jake Cunningham
World Premiere
They
As the world reaches peak negativity, our hero’s plot for peace backfires with drastic consequences.
Director: Renée Zellweger. Animation Short. United Kingdom. 2025. 9min. Unclassified: Suitable for all.
UK Premiere
How A River Is Born (Como Nasce Um Rio)
Driven by curiosity to get to know the landscape, Ayla embarks on a journey of discovery.
Director: Luma Flôres. Animation Short. Brazil. 2025. 9min. Unclassified: Suitable for all.
UK Premiere
Distance To The Moon
A lone Earth survivor embarks on a surreal and introspective journey to the Moon.
Directors: Victoria Watson, Sacha Kyle. Animation Short. United Kingdom. 2025. 10min. Italian with English subtitles. Unclassified: Suitable for all.
UK Premiere
Dollhouse Elephant
A group of neighbours must learn to coexist, whether they like it or not.
Director: Jenny Jokela. Animation Short. Finland. 2025. 12min. Unclassified: 15+. CW: Body hatred or fat phobia, sexual references.
UK Premiere
Witness: An Organima Film
Organic matter is invited to craft its own story, calling into question the purpose of human nature.
Director: Nik Arthur. Animation Short. Canada. 2024. 6min. English. Unclassified: Suitable for all.
Presented as part of Spotlight Canada 2025, supported by The High Commission of Canada and The Beaverbrook Canadian Foundation.
UK Premiere
Balconada
Several neighbours become reconnected to both each other and the present moment.
Director: Iva Tokmakchieva. Animation Short. Bulgaria, France. 2025. 9min. Unclassified: 15+. CW: Sexual references.
UK Premiere
Wednesdays With Gramps
A teenager realises he has much more in common with his Gramps than he initially thought.
Director: Chris Copeland, Justin Copeland. Animation Short. United States. 2024. 9min. Unclassified: Suitable for all. CW: Flashing imagery.
UK Premiere
Tsuna the empty can- Meatball and Spaghetti- (空き缶のツナ-ミートボール&スパゲティ-)
After getting lost in Spaghetti Kingdom, will Tsuna and his friends make it back safely?
Director: Iku Ogawa. Animation Short. Japan. 2023. 5min. Japanese with English subtitles. Unclassified: Suitable for all.
UK Premiere
Force Times Displacement (工)
In a factory fueled by endless ambition, success is granted by a mysterious wooden idol that fulfills every desire.
Director: Angel Wu. Animation Short.
Cast: Fen Cheng, Yin Han Liu. Taiwan. 2025. 12min. Unclassified: Parental Guidance. CW: Flashing imagery.
UK Premiere
Éiru
Éiru embarks on a mission to become a mighty warrior in her Iron-Age clan.
Director: Giovanna Ferrari. Animation Short. Cast: Coco Teehan Roche, Michael McGrath, Richie Cody, Niamh Moyles. Ireland. 13min. 2025. English. Unclassified: Parental Guidance. CW: Mild violence.