This programme takes a look at all aspects of emotion – 11 stunning films riffing on love, hate, jealousy, sensuality, melancholy, anxiety, confusion, fear, doubt and everything in between. Powerful, moving and with some vital messages for our times, these films are full of intense emotional depth and glorious visuals.

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 to some of the more interesting developments in CGI – all of which can be seen at this year’s LIAF.

We’ve emerged from under the pile of 2,400 entries to put together a series of screenings that showcase the best 86 new films from 41 countries around the world. They can be funny, dramatic, bizarre, subdued, scary or autobiographical. The one thing they have in common is that we think they’re the pick of the crop. 8 international competition programmes. Every technique, every genre, every style – this is your annual window into the international indie animation universe.

Total running time: approx 85 mins

For more information please visit http://www.liaf.org.uk

Think Something Nice

At the mercy of the dentist's chair the protagonist takes refuge from the pain with their imagined story of fishermen and the sea.

Switzerland 2022  Dir: Claudia Gentinetta 6’00

Love Me True

Looking for love on online dating sites can be toxic. A tale of addiction in the quest to find a soul mate.

France 2023 Dir: Ines Sedan 7’45

A Crab in the Pool

In a run-down neighbourhood, Zoe and her little brother Theo are left to fend for themselves.

Canada 2023 Dir: Alexandra Myotte, Jean-Sébastien Hamel 11’10

Bog

Oisin embarks on a poignant journey with the help of his guide, the Great Irish Elk. Through the mysterious layers of the Bog he discovers the buried memories of his Father.

Ireland 2023 Dir: Éabha Bortolozzo, Jack Kirwan 10’20

Legacy

A woman has lost her grandmother. Her apartment is now lifeless, only a few boxes lie in the living room. But is that really all that is left behind her?

Hungary 2023 Dir: Tamás Ivády 9’00

Misaligned

A fly rotates around a lightbulb, a spoon turns in a cup. Everything moves in circles including the life of a couple. Scenes of a marriage, reflected in the yellow eyes of a gecko.

Poland, Latvia 2022  Dir: Marta Magnuska 6’55

After the After Party

After a couple of drinks, a girl admits to her best friend that she’s always wanted to know what it feels like to be kissed by a girl. But how will they feel, and has their friendship been altered forever?

UK 2022 Dir: Jess Mountfield 2’55

How I Grew Up

Fear and doubt can be crippling emotions. A subtle observation of a young person coming of age.

China 2022 Dir: Yufei Liu, Yike Cen, Jiawei Li 7’45

Rising Above

A  journey of healing and self-discovery as told by a survivor who almost lost her life in a violent sexually motivated assault.

Czech Republic 2023 Dir: Natálie Durchánková 4’15

Crush

An ambitious thief wants to steal a precious diamond from a heavily guarded vault. On his way, he unexpectedly faces competition - a femme fatale who appeared for the same purpose.

Poland 2022 Dir: Jakub Socha, Michal Socha 6’20

27

Alice lives at her parents’ place at the age of 27 with no private life or a relationship. Her birthday night out ends in a bicycle accident and a short coma which makes her realise, it’s time to move out.

Hungary, France 2023 Dir: Flóra Anna Buda 10’45