This programme examines some big life moments and asks some pointed questions. The 11 powerful films include a highly personal look at suicide whilst worrying about the effects on your wife and child, a tropical island’s rise to riches and its ultimate fall into ruins, a spirited tin-foil lithographic imagining of a vibrant she-horse encompassing true feminine power and a touching film-within-film puppet animation with a very surprising ending.

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 90 mins

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

Rosemary A.D (After Dad)

As he cradles his newborn, a father wonders if his daughter would be better off without him and imagines her life once he is gone.

USA 2022 Dir: Ethan Barrett 9’40

Two One Two

 A love letter to motherhood, parenting on the spectrum, and two-headed monsters everywhere.

Canada 2023 Dir: Shira Avni 4’10

Island

The history of a small secluded island over the course of several millennia reveals a telling lesson about human nature.

Israel 2022 Dir: Michael Faust 7’40

Miniature Garden

What do these creatures kept by humans think about in their lives? And how do we humans feel about the situation?

Japan 2023 Dir: Kannosuke Enomoto 7’10

Love Bubbles

Floating on a pink cloud as a couple is easy. It is much more difficult to cope with everyday life and the future together.

Switzerland 2023 Dir: Marcel Hobi 7’30

Été 96

A picnic on Callot Island. Paul, his family, their friends, find themselves trapped by the tide. Paul, upset, stuck between the world of adults and children, becomes aware of his individuality.

France 2023 Dir: Mathilde Bedouet 12’10

The Creators

In another dimension, the Creators are working on a project. Gradually they come closer to a result. But creating something can be hard work, even for them.

UK 2023 Dir: Madeleine Homan 4’30

A Tiny Man

Perplexed by his wife's body, a man sneakily administers a mysterious serum supposed to make her lose weight quickly. But the tables are turned.

France 2022 Dir: Aude David, Mikael Gaudin 10’10

Mom is always right

If I squint, will I stay cross-eyed forever? Will I really have muscles like Popeye if I eat lots of spinach? But most importantly - do mums always tell their children the truth?

Czech Republic 2023 Dir: Marie Urbánková 7’30

I Am a Horse

A stunning portrayal of women born with half of their bodies that of a horse and the other half a tiger.

South Korea, Denmark 2022 Dir: Chaerin Im 8’00

This will not be a Festival Film

This time, Julita decided to make a film not for the festival laurels, but for her family. Although the task seemed simple, something went wrong.

Poland 2022 Dir: Julia Orlik 8’00