Persuasive, illustrative and able to get over abstract details in attractive and compelling ways, animation is the perfect tool to document someone’s vision of the truth. This past decade has seen a boom in non-fiction films that use animation to tell their stories and LIAF has been one of the vanguards with our annual showcase dedicated to the documentary form dating back to 2008. This year’s programme features 11 of the best true life stories coupled with mind-blowing imagery.

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 92 mins

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

The Waiting

A biologist describes her research into various species of frogs in the rainforest of Central America and their mysterious disappearance as if it were a criminal case.

Germany 2023 Dir: Volker Schlecht 15’30

Handmade Happiness

A passion for craft helps four makers overcome adversity.

Australia 2022 Dir: Vivien Mason 8’30

Our Uniform

An Iranian girl unfolds her school memories through the wrinkles and fabrics of her old uniform. She admits that she's nothing but a "female" and explores the roots of this idea in her school years.

Iran 2023 Dir: Yegane Moghaddam 7’00

Doubt

The creative process can be a fearful and sometimes terrifying struggle. How does the artist overcome these feelings?

Czech Republic 2023 Dir: Adéla Křižovenská, Ondřej Vomočil 5’40

Box Cutters

A young woman recalls the terrible day when she was attacked by three men on her way home, but daily life must resume its course.

France, Netherlands, South Africa 2023 Dir: Naomi Van Niekerk 8’25

Somerton Man

In the summer 1948, a well-dressed man was discovered dead on the beach at Somerton Park. No injuries, no identification, and every label removed from his clothing. There was no one missing who fit his description. A dead man with no name.

Australia 2023 Dir: Leigh Young 9’45

Diaphony

Three people share their experiences of the pandemic. The common link they share is finding comfort through music.

Netherlands 2022 Dir: Selle Sellink, Mirjam Debets 7’10

The Skatebook

The thoughts, memories, hopes and fears of the expanding skateboarding scene in London.

UK 2022 Dir: Sofia Negri 5’10

Magda

In the Winter of 1939 Magda, an excellent skier, joined the Polish Resistance and helped by bringing fugitives across the mountains into Slovakia. But a group of Nazi soldiers were experienced skiers too.

Poland 2022 Dir: Adela Kaczmarek 9’05

K8

A desperate call for help from some policemen ambushed by members of an organised drug trafficking syndicate.

Mexico 2022 Dir: Miguel Anaya Borja 5’40

On Film

Animated digitally, On Film explores the technology behind shooting on film, how to tell when a film is shot on film and why there’s an enduring passion and appreciation for the format.

Australia 2022 Dir: Emma Hough Hobbs 5’45