PROGRAM

Free tickets and seats for all events
https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/tampa-animation-festival-2025-4770223

Thursday Nov 6, 2:00-3:30pm
International Student Shorts

Reserve your free tickets here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1897323328149

All the Flowers in my mom’s gardenPun VacharavithayakornUK (University of the Arts London)5.31The green garden is a place where I feel safest. A place where I go the rest, to laugh, to cry. One day, I noticed a small black flower growing in one of the plants. Every day, I find these small flowers. They engulfed the garden until every little bit was consumed. What was once lush and green is now black and white.
BugsickVenya AggarwalCanada (Sheridan College)8.04After a recent break up, Bug’s ex-girlfriend June calls to come pick up the rest of her stuff from their apartment. This triggers Bug to spiral, as we follow their desperate attempt at keeping their past alive by creating a massive dungball of the items June left behind.
Cell BuddiesMelle Windig, Hidde Alberts, Miguel Reyes, Jurgen de Smit, Arjen van der PlasNetherlands (Sint Joost School of Art & Design)5.11Sam, a grumpy raccoon is stuck sharing a cell with Bob, a sweet but dim manatee. Sam hatches an escape plan. In their chaotic jailbreak Sam’s hardened edges soften as Bob’s loyalty shines. Will they escape? Maybe. But together, they’ve already cracked something bigger: trust.
EarwormMatti Luukko, Markus Lehtokumpu, Michal Tomala, Aatos SalkosaloFinland (Turku University of Applied Sciences)2.47A bored doctor gets some excitement for his day when a patient with a familiar but irritating problem marches in.
Funeral of the EarthJaewon ParkUK (Royal College of Art)4.28Earth is the name of the planet’s era between the 5th and 6th mass extinctions, given by humans. Dusts are pilgrims that travel through the Earth’s time, witness the Anthropocene, and arrive at the death of the Earth with their planetary memory. As Earth passes away, Dusts gather and perform the ancient ritual of funeral, which is the ceremony to close the past era and to celebrate the birth of the new era.
Funny GuyJulia ZadarkoRussia (All-Russian State Institute of Cinematography named after S.A. Gerasimov (VGIK), branch in Rostov-on-Don)5.58What if the inflatable people standing at gas stations and stores have a soul? This cartoon will tell the fascinating story of the hero on the way to his dancing dream.
Heart Hug (Обіруч)Rimma Gefen, Nika ZhukovaIsrael (Bezalel Academy of Art and Design)8.46“Обіруч (Heart Hug)” is a deeply moving film that explores the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine through the lens of a lovely duo. The film is based on a true story about the power of human connection and the beautiful bond between an elderly woman named Lilia and her faithful companion, Max, a big orange dog. The film is a story of love, loss, and resilience, reminding us that even in the darkest of times, the connections we create are our strengths.
Garlic SoupKristian Zaharinov ZaharievBulgaria (NATFA “Krastyo Sarafov”)8.3Vampire, thirsty for blood, flies around a small Balkan village in search of his next victim. He sneaks in a dark bedroom, after he saw a silhouette of a young beauty. It turns out the silhouette belongs to an old granny. The almost blind granny takes the vampire for her goth teenager grandson. The loving care of the granny turns out to be deadly for the vampire.
Over YonderRachel James CarrièreCanada (Concordia University)2.21An experimental animated film that traces a quiet longing to fly, to connect, to belong. Guided by wind, colour, and shifting forms, it drifts through an enchanting dreamscape shaped by curiosity and imagination, where the unreachable feels momentarily near.
Rise and ShineMatti LuukkoFinland (Turku University)5.07Time to brush your teeth, set the alarm and hug the pillow! Tomorrow you can face the new day feeling fresh and well rested. But what does your body go through during your slumber?
Rock ShantyOfentse Bonolo Makhaza, Flynn BunyanSouth Africa (The Animation School (PTY) Ltd)3.51In this battle of music and wit, Sorbet the Siren attempts to lure in the fisherman Flounder to eat for her dinner using her feminine charms and magical singing voice. Only to be thwarted by Flounder’s son Gelato in a ridiculous but clever fashion as he counters her magic with an epic guitar solo.
Tang Hua ShengYuqin ZhuChina (China Academy of Art)4.2The Kitchen God is a deity in traditional Chinese culture who governs food and the fortunes of the family. Tang Hua Sheng (the Candied peanut) is a dessert offered during the worship of the Kitchen God.
The LabIzzy LiveseyUK (Bournemouth University)3.14In her lab, an eccentric scientist works on her next creation.
The Last BarArne HainGermany (Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg)13.21Kicked out on his 21st birthday and troubled by his inner demons, Melvin thinks of ending things. But right on the edge of a cliff he finds ‘The Last Bar’, a quirky place of misfits that came for all the same reasons. Sparked by talks and confrontation, his inner journey continues and he has to stand up for himself. At break of dawn, his thoughts of ending his life vanished and he decides to stay a little longer.
WaitingSerafima KallimaRussia (Merinov Animation School)0.49A short story about the difficulties of waiting.

Thursday Nov 6, 4:00-5:30pm
Documentaries & True Stories

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Curly Joe, Two Kittens, Four Boxes & Scent of FireApo W. BazidiUSA5.3Curly Joe Two Kittens Four Boxes and the Scent of Fire is a short animated documentary that tells the story of a young girl, Kira, who loses her home in a devastating fire at the age of seven. Through a poetic narrative, the film explores the trauma of displacement, memory, and resilience. As Kira reflects on the fire’s impact, she unpacks the complex emotions tied to loss and survival. The animation is a heartfelt exploration of how childhood trauma can shape one’s identity and sense of home.
MarthaMarcel BarelliSwitzerland6.53A fake documentary about a true story: An old silent documentary from the 1910s has been found and restored. It tells the story of the most abundant bird on Earth, exterminated in just a few decades by human brutality.
Heart Hug (Обіруч)Rimma Gefen, Nika ZhukovaIsrael (Bezalel Academy of Art and Design)8.46“Обіруч (Heart Hug)” is a deeply moving film that explores the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine through the lens of a lovely duo. The film is based on a true story about the power of human connection and the beautiful bond between an elderly woman named Lilia and her faithful companion, Max, a big orange dog. The film is a story of love, loss, and resilience, reminding us that even in the darkest of times, the connections we create are our strengths.
DieterRolf BroennimannSwitzerland10.35Dieter, the ailing sculptor, has not been able to work properly for a long time, simple things fail him. His thoughts keep taking him away from his workshop into another, fantastic world, into mysterious landscapes. He tries to capture his fleeting memories until the end of his journey and time, where he loses himself and vanishes …
My Brother, My BrotherAbdelrahman Dnewar, Saad DnewarEgypt, France, Germany15The complexities of a past shared by two identical twins: Omar and Wesam. A split narrative retells the two sides of their memories – from the instant they were fused together in their mother’s womb to the moment they are parted by the tragic death of one of them.
It All Comes DownMeg EarlsUK (NFTS – National Film and Television School)6.16Three generations of women sit around a table as the granddaughter begins asking questions about the past revealing inherited family memories of conflict and struggle in Northern Ireland.
Tahlequah the Whale: A Dance of GriefDaniel KreizbergUSA14.59In the aftermath of her newborn baby’s sudden death, orca mother Tahlequah carries her daughter’s body across the Salish Sea in the incredible true story that captivated the world.
The Little Ancestor (La Petite Ancêtre)Alexa Tremblay-FrancoeurCanada11.12On a windswept hill, in a place still young and devoid of all life, an ancestral house builds itself. The house comes to life and unveils its long life of one hundred and fifty years. Brick by brick and beam by beam, each action, big or small, shows life. Over the years, it leads us to feel the passage of time, the transformations of its surroundings and its vulnerability in the face of the unstoppable frenzy of our urban growth. The house evolves quietly in the heart of a growing and buzzing city that will eventually bring its end.
From Jazz to JackbootsJustin StephensonCanada14.45“…they loathe art, the product of a yearning for life, because that, too, evades control.” Josef Skvorecky “From Jazz to Jackboots” is an experimental animated dance film exploring the Nazi regime’s methodical restriction of jazz through their “10 Rules for Dance Bands.” The film reimagines itself through progressively censored variations of jazz standard, “Minnie the Moocher,” transitioning from freeform expressionist painting and collage to statuesque perfection. Through sophisticated animation techniques and meticulous visual design, the work unfolds as simultaneously joyful, lyrical, ethereal, surgical, horrific and funereal—a timely reminder that the battle between artistic expression and authoritarian control remains urgently relevant today.

Thursday Nov 6, 6:00-7:30pm
It’s a Stop-Motion World After All
Introduced by Warren Cockerham

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EarwormMatti Luukko, Markus Lehtokumpu, Michal Tomala, Aatos SalkosaloFinland (Turku University of Applied Sciences)2.47A bored doctor gets some excitement for his day when a patient with a familiar but irritating problem marches in.
Grey MatterNora SnyderUSA1.2There’s a black cube lodged inside my brain.
Hephaestus and AphroditeDaniel R. AllenUSA (DePaul University)8.07In the Ancient Greek myths from old antiquity, many songs were sung of Hephaestus and Aphrodite. Their fraught marriage, full of jealousy and wrath, spurred each other Into lies and betrayal. But the muse’s whisper of another tale. An unexpected love, between the hurt and the lost finding solace in each other This re-imagining takes a new spin on one of most unexplored relationships in all of Greek Mythology, delving into the untold romance of Hephaestus and Aphrodite. Being the god of craftsmanship and artisans, Hephaestus embodies passion for one’s work. This is a form of love, and one not often associated with Aphrodite. But it is a connection they share. This is the story of the unexplored connection.
Hot MessTortor SmithUK (Aardman Academy)3.09Hot Mess offers an insight into ADHD in a compact and creative way, highlighting the damage and anxiety that can be caused by a well-meaning, but ultimately toxic, parent.
Le Petit et Le GéantIsabela CostaBrazil, France (Paris 8 University)8.4In a post-apocalyptic world, a little hamster discovers a giant plant creature stuck in a house and afraid to go outside and see the world. Together they start reflourishing the world.
Les BêtesMichael GranberryUSA11.38A mysterious rabbit with a set of magic keys summons a host of strange creatures to entertain a wicked king and his decadent court.
Paper FlowersRamak Amin KazemiIran15“Paper Flowers” tells the story of a successful female writer who, after the failure of one of her works, faces deep sorrow. To cope with this failure, she retreats to an abandoned mansion, temporarily isolating herself from the city and her family. In isolation, she struggles to create a new masterpiece. Her journey takes her through the changing seasons, affecting both her environment and her creative state. At first, she becomes consumed by her writings, and the nature outside her window wilts and fades. However, after facing an emotional storm, a transformation occurs. The woman, now dressed in a white shirt with vibrant words and patterns, returns to the garden. Her connection with nature is revived, and she regains her inspiration. Surrounded by doves and butterflies, with the garden now thriving, she begins to write again. This film is a reflection on finding the balance between the woman’s inner and outer worlds and the revival of her creative spirit.
The Care PackageVera ShyshDenmark7.11a fairy tale written by a sister to her imprisoned brother in Belarus, where over 1,500 political prisoners remain behind bars. Political prisoners are often deprived of calls and visits even from family members. A care package is sometimes the only means of communication with the outside world.
In this story, a care package comes to life, becoming a character that interacts with a prisoner.
The Shadow of DawnOlga StalevEstonia15The beautiful Dawn is gathering medicinal herbs in the forest. A Woodcutter in love with her appears, offering her his hand and his heart. But the girl only laughs at him and this wounds Woodcutter deeply. In the evening of the same day Dawn is attacked by Servants of a mysterious Beast, who kidnaps the girl. Dawn manages to cut loose her shadow and sent it to find help. Dawn’s Shadow follows the bird who stole Dawn’s knife. This leads her to a Witch living in the forest. The Shadow learns that the Beast is the very same Woodcutter, who was cursed, after killing a bird in his ill mood. The Witch tells the Shadow what to do to save herself and Dawn, and also warns her that she must make haste since without her shadow, Dawn will only live until sunrise. Dawn’s Shadow sneaks into Beast’s castle with intention to kill the Beast but changes her mind and takes a leap into the creature’s dreamworld. There she meets the imprisoned Woodcutter. The Shadow speaks with the man and understands his feelings. She shows compassion and apologizes for Dawn’s behaviour. This breaks the curse and sets the Woodcutter free. Unfortunately, the morning is upon them and Dawn is dead. The Shadow mourns her. But as the first rays of the rising sun touch the Shadow, she becomes corporeal, whereas Dawn’s former body becomes her shadow.
The Travails of AjadiAdeoye AdetunjiNigeria10After surviving a violent storm at sea, a frustrated fisherman confronts a divine voice to demand answers for his life of hardship, only to discover that his suffering was a divine preparation for his true purpose
TidelineJason A. HarringtonUSA2.21Celebrating the textures and hues of the shoreline, this stop-motion film uses rocks, seaglass, feathers, shells, and other found objects gathered in the intertidal zone of a small cove on an island in Maine.

Thursday Nov 6, 8:00-9:30pm

Reserve the free tickets for this program here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1898154825179

Friday Nov 7, 12:00-1:30pm (encore presentation)

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https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1898181003479

International Animated Shorts

A Song about a DogSergey StrusovskyRussia9.44The world through the eyes of a dog.
AerialistAnna KuzinaRussia7.15A saleswoman in a textile store likes working with fabrics but her life is quite monotonous. One day she comes across a group of gymnasts and her life gets illuminated by a dream.
Bird DroneRadheya Jang JegathevaAustralia, UK8.55Unrequited love explored through a lonely seagull struggling to accept that his newfound object of affection is a human-operated drone with a limited battery life.
ChronicityAleta RajicBosnia and Herzegovina3.17A seemingly naive turn of events leads to a disastrous one. Flight of wings leading all the way to World War I.
Gelato, Seven Summers of Ice Cream LoveDaniela OppGermany12The 20th Century was still young when Italian mountaineers conquered Germany with a sensation: gelato! Tiny stalls developed into beautiful ice cream shops. But suddenly sunny days of childhood turned into dark years of war.
High DiverOscar BittnerGermany4.58Since early childhood, Tuan and Felix have been inseparable. As they train to become Olympic high divers, however, their budding love for each other suffers under the weight of the competition.
I am water (Soc aigua)Roser CusóSpain6.2A drop of water precipitates from a cloud and falls on a little girl who suffers the consequences of the drought.
LullabyMama OconIndonesia4.1In order to fulfill her dream of becoming a musician, a cat from the countryside named Ocon must face the fears and anxieties of performing in front of the glamorous city animals.
My ClosetIuliia KotsiubaUkraine3.39Under the influence of tragic circumstances, the young woman is forced to separate with her husband. While doing ordinary things and maintaining contact with her lover, she tries to overcome her fear and despair. Will she be able to cope with her feelings if the connection is lost?
PariahDaniel BrusonBrazil8Surrounded by a violent swarm of people, a young woman connects with a little girl while facing a man that forces her to fight for her life and for her place in the world.
The Bird & the WhaleCarol FreemanIreland7.04A young whale strays too far from his family to explore a shipwreck and discovers its sole survivor, a caged songbird. Together they struggle to survive lost at sea.
The DogSogand VatankhahIran4.16A man gets lost in the desert with his dog. Suddenly, an accident occurs, and the man and the dog must find a way to save themselves.
Christopher & the BugVanessa Esteves, Kevin MicallefCanada11:52A grouchy old owl learns a big lesson about friendship when a small bug moves into his house.
The Strange Case of the Human CannonballRoberto ValenciaEcuador10One morning, a mysterious man is found lying in the square of a village inhabited by only six residents. No one knows who he is, nor where he came from. They must act quickly and decide what to do before the stranger awakens.
The Synthetic AgeDimitris ArmenakisGreece7.39In a city where people consume cartoons, a dog reconciles with its old friends, and together, they try to escape from humans.

Friday Nov 7, 3:30-5:00pm
La Vie en Campus (French student films)

Reserve your free tickets for this program here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1898308013369

Cat InterviewEnora Laden, Erwan Galtier, Baptiste Lebrun, Alexandre Bal, Séréna Prince AgbodjanFrance (Piktura)5.54Lucas, a very creative little boy, decides to interview his kitten called Cahuète he rescued a month earlier in the street. However, the cat always does what he wants and avoids the boy’s questions. Lucas, very insistent, ends up angering Cahuète.
CourageMargot Jacquet, Nathan Baudry, Marion Choudin, Jeanne Desplanques, Lise Delcroix, Salomé CognonFrance (Supinfocom Rubika)5.21When Anna, an Olympic athlete, finds herself behind in the race, she redoubles her efforts with the aim of winning the competition and never disappoint again. But as she pushes herself beyond her limits, she burns out. She then has to face the wave of judgment that comes with dropping out.
D.S. al CodaMaxime Wattrelos, Jérémy Trochet, Louis Cocquet, François Mainguet, Emma Feret, Rachel Cuvilliez, Florian LecocqFrance (Piktura)8.18Consumed by the fear of becoming deaf, Yann draws and memorizes the sounds around him.
LavomatrixMatthieu Fulcheri, Simon Vernus, Mila Cottin, Martin Carvalho, Chloé Langlet, Lou-Eva GoimetFrance (Supinfocom Rubika)7.05The day of his 18th birthday, like all the other teenagers in Omnicity, LUKA 237-02 receives an odd gift inviting him to the city’s laundromat. He is finally ready to be part the OMNI Family! Little does he know that once sucked into the system, it would be too late to turn back.
Memento VitaeLola Leviez-Deblauwe, Anaïs Lecocq, Quitterie Quipourt, Basile Galiegue, Mathilde Maigre, Paul-Louis CoutonFrance (Piktura)5.45On Halloween night, three disguised kids go on a wild trick-or-treating rampage through town, until a mysterious ghost train confronts them with a tragic memory.
Primordial SoupClémentine Donneger, Andreas Demetriou, Mathilde Chauvelot, Hugo Mougel, Charlotte Deux, Patrick Crucke, Thibaud GuillonFrance (Supinfocom Rubika)6.14A long time ago, in ancient Greece, three sisters were born to feed the gods and goddesses of Mount Olympus. While two of them compete for recognition from the gods, Nonne, the youngest, prefers to take it easy, hidden in front of her television. When her sisters come to disturb her haven of peace, Nonne decides to get rid of them by transforming them into stock cubes.
Sassuma ArnaaKaren Brezac, Océane Duval, Antoine Mignot, Simon Vandamme, Théophile Récolet, Paul Jaillet, Victor CazeauxFrance (Piktura)6.41Sassuma Arnaa, mother of the sea, enraged by the actions of her father and her village in the past, seeks revenge. She uses Niviarsiaq, a young girl, to accomplish this act of vengeance.
The Calm of the Cicadas (Au Calme Des Cigales)Sarah Deredec, Camille Collins, Clémence Ansquer, Juliette Le Hir, Chun-i Cheng, Ambre Muamba, Salomé LeroyFrance (Supinfocom Rubika)5.11To save the tranquility of his paradisiac Mediterranean island, threatened by the noise of boats, Marcel will embark on a merciless battle that will break the ears of many. But he will gets carried away, causing the destruction of his entire environment.
The Day You Were GoneEmeline Anne, Léa Bourbouze, Rachel Scherier, Camille Cujaube, Zoé de Groote, Alexandre JacquesFrance (Supinfocom Rubika)5.51Here’s the story of a little boy who learns that his brother has left. Intrigued, he embarks on a game of hide-and-seek where he eventually uncovers the secrets in the house.
The Old KlaviristaSarah Coppin, Simon Delhaye, Théo Massa, Léopold DelcambreFrance (Piktura)7.42Ondrej, an old and melancholic Slavic pianist, mourns his wife through music. Guided by his instrument, he embarks on a journey through his past, in his youth when he was happy.
The Shyness of TreesBingqing Shu, Maud Le Bras, Jiaxin Huang, Simin He, Lina Han, Loïck Du Plessis D’Argentré, Sofiia ChuikovskaFrance (Gobelins)8.56Hélène, 40 years old, comes to visit her aging mother in the French countryside. But her mother isn’t being her usual self. She seems to have formed a strange bond with the plants, insects, and the old oak tree at the end of her garden…
The Song of the SheepJules Marcel, Anaïs Castro de Angel, Juliette Bigo, Evan Lambert, Alex Le Ruyet, Jeanne Bigo, Anaïs LedouxFrance (Supinfocom Rubika)7.48At dawn, in the Alps, Frank wakes up drunk. There’s only one cure for the headache: a drink. But misfortune strikes! His cellar has been emptied overnight. Who could this mysterious thief be? Hervé, the talking sheep, may have the answer…
A devil in the pocket (Un diable dans la poche)Antoine Bonnet, Mathilde LoubesFrance (Gobelins)6.00A group of children witnesses a crime and is forced to remain silent. Auguste, the youngest, finds the burden too heavy and decides to reveal this secret. To punish this treason, the rest of the kids plan to get rid of him.
War Theater (Théâtre de Guerre)Arthur Lecocq, Gabriel Delcroix, Arthur Delcroix, Romuald Gouriou, Julien Vanas, Clarence Delehaye, Noëmie IvelouFrance (Piktura)6.56During a theatrical performance featuring puppets glorifying war, a wounded soldier is taken backstage where he discovers the darker aspects of this spectacle.

Friday Nov 7, 5:30-7:00pm
Vive La France (French animations)

Reserve your free tickets for this program here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1898370500269

Earth CoalBastien DupriezFrance12.44In the countryside of yesteryear, in the mines and factories, these men of the past seem to share the same sorrows.
IraRozenn BussonFrance7.25In the depths of a volcano, Ira, consumed by seething rage, triggers a spectacular eruption. In this boiling world, she meets a giantess who helps her release her inner power. Now a giant herself, Ira leads the volcano’s inhabitants in a liberating dance, transforming their world into an endless sea of lava.
Orange Juice (Jus d’orange)Alexandre AthanéFrance13.45Toni grows oranges. He loves them, they are his treasure. Until one day, strange cargo ships dock in the valley. Cargos loaded with… GREEN oranges!
Monsieur FigaroSarah Benhammou-LionnardFrance4Monsieur Figaro is a lazy, haughty, and even disdainful creature who tricks, deceives, and lies to his two loving owners.
My teenage blackoutBasile KhatirFrance10At a party, Tristan swallowed a caterpillar while downing a tequila shot. Ever since then, he’s been in a coma, thoughts running through his head – about that girl at the party, the nurse smoking in his room, his overbearing mother, and the fact that he’ll never get to change his Facebook profile picture ever again. Basically, Tristan is just like any other teenager.
Sweeter is the Night (Plus douce est la nuit)Fabienne WagenaarFrance18.25In the early 1960s, at a time of independence in West Africa, a young French officer is commissioned by the metropolis to find a missing missionary priest. An investigation amid mistrust and indifference, silence and prejudice, that takes the young officer far from the light of the shores, where day and night merge.
The Forest of the Honey Bees (La Forêt des Abeilles)Erwan Le GalFrance20Isabelle is a violinist-beekeeper in the Ouessant island. She protect her bees and she inspire her daughter with stories and legend about honey bees….
The 300th Head (La 300ème tête)Olivier Jean, Thierry CattantFrance8.46As he prepares to take the metro to cut off his 300th head, Anatole Deibler, the famous executioner, collapses, the victim of an embolism. During this final second of agony, he is offered a unique mission: to execute the greatest French assassin who has ever lived: himself.

Friday Nov 7, 8:00-9:30pm
French Feature Film: ARCO

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https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1898392275399

Saturday Nov 8, 11:00am – 12:30pm
Kids/Family Shorts

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https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1898452756299

Birds of a FeatherKatie CobosUSA (RIT – Rochester Institute of Technology)4.44A talkative parrot attempts to befriend a boy with Tourette’s syndrome
Christopher & the BugVanessa Esteves, Kevin MicallefCanada11.52A grouchy old owl learns a big lesson about friendship when a small bug moves into his house.
CocoonMariajosé González Hinojosa, Ana Gabriela Tijerina Cabrera, Dayana Gutiérrez Sánchez, Emilia Sibilla GarcíaMexico (Tecnológico de Monterrey)2.41Two small alien brothers lose their home planet and while escaping they crash land in an unknown location.
Ghariba & AjeebBoubaker BoukhariAlgeria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates7.17In this story, the girl Ghariba embarks on a journey to find her friend Ajeeb and to find a way to cross a river guarded by a crocodile.
Grandpa Mazay and the SunbunniesKristina ShcherbakovaRussia (The Saint-Petersburg State University of Film and Television)6.19Only the sunbunnies will help Grandpa Mazay get rid of huge thunderclouds that are out of control.
Henrietta Finds a NestHannah McNallyUSA7.17A young chick named Henrietta embarks on a heartwarming journey from neglect at a factory farm to friendship with a little girl.
My NeighborDominic CarolaUSA (Florida)5Carl the cardinal’s territorial ways are interrupted when Misty, a cheerful mountain bluebird, moves in next door. Their paths cross during a blizzard when an iced-over bird feeder breaks open posing a challenge to Carl’s chilly temperament.
Snow BearAaron BlaiseUSA11.29Set in a rapidly changing world, a polar bear is on a quest to find a friend in an unforgiving environment.
The Alchemist’s ApprenticeErfan ParsapourIran6.48A young alchemy apprentice tries to fix his master’s creation discreetly.
The LabIzzy LiveseyUK (Bournemouth University)3.14In her lab, an eccentric scientist works on her next creation.
The Lonely Life of LintSarah SklarUSA (UCLA – University of California Los Angeles)3.5An unexpected discovery sends a lonely lint creature on a quest for companionship.

Saturday Nov 8, 1:00 – 2:30pm
U.S. Animated Shorts

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https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1898496567339

AmpedVincent SalvanoUSA
5.3
During a late night at the office, two co-workers stumble upon a mysterious drink that gives them supernatural abilities beyond their control.
Henrietta Finds a NestHannah McNallyUSA7.17A young chick named Henrietta embarks on a heartwarming journey from neglect at a factory farm to friendship with a little girl.
LUKI and the LightsToby CochranUSA10.4LUKi, a charming and upbeat robot known for living life to the fullest, confronts a life-altering ALS diagnosis.
My NeighborDominic CarolaUSA (Florida)5.0Carl the cardinal’s territorial ways are interrupted when Misty, a cheerful mountain bluebird, moves in next door. Their paths cross during a blizzard when an iced-over bird feeder breaks open posing a challenge to Carl’s chilly temperament.
Snow BearAaron BlaiseUSA11.29Set in a rapidly changing world, a polar bear is on a quest to find a friend in an unforgiving environment.
Stoned for ChristmasMorgan YoungUSA14.21This multimedia whirlwind and a love letter to weed cycles through a weed courier’s Christmastime deliveries with each vignette in a different style of animation.
Tahlequah the Whale: A Dance of GriefDaniel KreizbergUSA14.59In the aftermath of her newborn baby’s sudden death, orca mother Tahlequah carries her daughter’s body across the Salish Sea in the incredible true story that captivated the world.
The Flock of Forgotten FacesA.B. Osborne, Emily HogueUSA5.4A bird-like girl named Lacuna finds herself aboard a mysterious train with passengers wearing masks. As Lacuna discovers the unique faces under these masks, she draws the attention of the authoritarian Conductor.
The Moon’s Not That GreatMathieu LibmanUSA8.05After an astronaut returns from her lunar mission to find that the public couldn’t care less about the moon, the stories of the astronaut, a film director, and a bear intersect.
TidelineJason A. HarringtonUSA2.21Celebrating the textures and hues of the shoreline, this stop-motion film uses rocks, seaglass, feathers, shells, and other found objects gathered in the intertidal zone of a small cove on an island in Maine.

Saturday Nov 8, 3:00 – 4:30pm
U.S. Student Shorts

Reserve your free tickets here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1898616566259

Birds of a FeatherKatie CobosUSA (RIT – Rochester Institute of Technology)4.44A talkative parrot attempts to befriend a boy with Tourette’s syndrome.
Cat-TastropheMorgan SeiglerUSA (Chapman University)3.13A cat, through its catastrophic antics, inspires a villainous inventor to devise her most evil plan yet. 3D animated slapstick comedy.
Dies IraeVictoria BasadreUSA (Cal Arts – California Institute of the Arts)6.22A young woman experiences her first therapy session with an interesting therapist.
Duck in Space!Lexie MazzeoUSA (SCAD – Savannah College of Art and Design)3Duck In Space! is a 2D animated short film following a goose (named Duck) who reaches for the stars and wreaks havoc along the way! Crash landing on a space station and entangling himself in a plant, he appears to be a space alien to the crew on board! The chase to catch the rogue alien ensues!
Fluff & FuriousJoey Chieh-Chih LiaoUSA (USC – University of Southern California)3.43A fluffy pup, inspired by its wild relative, sets out to prove it’s more than just a soft fur ball.
God DamAbigail HillUSA (SCAD – Savannah College of Art and Design)2.43A mockumentary about two beavers that work in a post office.
Hephaestus and AphroditeDaniel R. AllenUSA (DePaul University)8.07In the Ancient Greek myths from old antiquity, many songs were sung of Hephaestus and Aphrodite. Their fraught marriage, full of jealousy and wrath, spurred each other Into lies and betrayal. But the muse’s whisper of another tale. An unexpected love, between the hurt and the lost finding solace in each other This re-imagining takes a new spin on one of most unexplored relationships in all of Greek Mythology, delving into the untold romance of Hephaestus and Aphrodite. Being the god of craftsmanship and artisans, Hephaestus embodies passion for one’s work. This is a form of love, and one not often associated with Aphrodite. But it is a connection they share. This is the story of the unexplored connection.
Jurassic JoyridePatrick Daniel SandovalUSA (Clemson University)4.45A bored young caveboy discovers a spaceship that takes him on an adventure that changes his life and world forever.
Kid PresidentYadid Hirschtritt LichtUSA (DePaul University)5.2No more lettuce, no more artichokes… no more broccoli! This is the future that Kid President envisions as he rolls out his most daring policy yet: a ban on all vegetables. In this 2D animated mockumentary, viewers get an inside look as Kid President attempts to strongarm his policy past his rag-tag administration and an alarmed White House press corps. Can Kid President make his vegetable-free dream a reality?
Out To PastureAmandeep SinghUSA (RIT – Rochester Institute of Technology)7.28The rise and fall of legendary movie star Marcel T. Cow.
Something FishyChristina WooUSA (Cal Arts – California Institute of the Arts)3.3Sara is getting ready to go on a date with her new boyfriend, but Jessica, Sara’s pet goldfish, notices something not quite right about him.
Still With YouRyan LivesayUSA (USC – University of Southern California)8.28After his canine best friend goes missing, Ollie the cat must journey through the Lake Tahoe wilderness to find her.
SymBionicJack TenbuschUSA (Columbia College)6.02After clipping her wing on a robotic facility antenna, a Songbird forms an unlikely symbiotic relationship with the robot she inadvertently creates.
The StairsFaedra HoseUSA (Kenyon College)3.11The sounds of a conversation drift up to the floor above, with unexpected consequences for the one who overhears them.
The Lonely Life of LintSarah SklarUSA – (UCLA University of California Los Angeles)3.5An unexpected discovery sends a lonely lint creature on a quest for companionship.
The 12 Inch PianistLucas AnselUSA (RISD – Rhode Island School of Design)7.28A bar joke goes awry, unraveling into a surreal tale that explores the acceptance of self, others, and queer identity.
There Can Only Be OneBritney FanUSA (USC – University of Southern California)2.54Upon visiting her boyfriend’s apartment for the first time, Kat encounters her biggest and most unexpected rival—his cat.

Saturday Nov 8, 7:00 – 8:30pm
The Comedy Show

Reserve your free tickets here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1898761820719

AmpedVincent SalvanoUSA5.3During a late night at the office, two co-workers stumble upon a mysterious drink that gives them supernatural abilities beyond their control.
Cat-TastropheMorgan SeiglerUSA (Chapman University)3.13A cat, through its catastrophic antics, inspires a villainous inventor to devise her most evil plan yet. 3D animated slapstick comedy.
ChardakMileta Postic, Predrag JoldicSerbia9There is Romance, action, humor and meta-storytelling.
Dies IraeVictoria BasadreUSA (Cal Arts)6.22A young woman experiences her first therapy session with an interesting therapist.
Fluff & FuriousJoey Chieh-Chih LiaoUSA (USC – University of Southern California)3.43A fluffy pup, inspired by its wild relative, sets out to prove it’s more than just a soft fur ball.
Funny GuyJulia ZadarkoRussia (All-Russian State Institute of Cinematography named after S.A. Gerasimov (VGIK), branch in Rostov-on-Don)5.58What if the inflatable people standing at gas stations and stores have a soul? This cartoon will tell the fascinating story of the hero on the way to his dancing dream.
Garlic SoupKristian Zaharinov ZaharievBulgaria (NATFA “Krastyo Sarafov”)8.3Vampire, thirsty for blood, flies around a small Balkan village in search of his next victim. He sneaks in a dark bedroom, after he saw a silhouette of a young beauty. It turns out the silhouette belongs to an old granny. The almost blind granny takes the vampire for her goth teenager grandson. The loving care of the granny turns out to be deadly for the vampire.
God DamAbigail HillUSA(SCAD – Savannah College of Art and Design)2.43A mockumentary about two beavers that work in a post office.
Halloween Talk ShowVincent SalvanoUSA2.37Talk show host Lonny Larson invites some lesser known Halloween monsters on his program. They aren’t the best guests.
Kid PresidentYadid Hirschtritt LichtUSA (DePaul University)5.2No more lettuce, no more artichokes… no more broccoli! This is the future that Kid President envisions as he rolls out his most daring policy yet: a ban on all vegetables. In this 2D animated mockumentary, viewers get an inside look as Kid President attempts to strongarm his policy past his rag-tag administration and an alarmed White House press corps. Can Kid President make his vegetable-free dream a reality?
Meevil the Weevil: Breakfast of ChampionsKyle ArnesonUSA3.4Meevil the Weevil is a little bug with big dreams of being a stuntman. Follow Meevil’s thrilling ride across a 1970s breakfast table on rocket roller skates.
Not a Hero by AccidentAdam AnsorgeUSA3.02The fatal collision with a meter maid puts a truck driver in the hands of the local community to decide his fate.
Rock ShantyOfentse Bonolo Makhaza, Flynn BunyanSouth Africa (The Animation School (PTY) Ltd)3.51In this battle of music and wit, Sorbet the Siren attempts to lure in the fisherman Flounder to eat for her dinner using her feminine charms and magical singing voice. Only to be thwarted by Flounder’s son Gelato in a ridiculous but clever fashion as he counters her magic with an epic guitar solo.
Shakespeare For All AgesHannes RallGermany, Singapore2.42Shakespeare’s works are timeless – this film proves it!
Stupid DogDaria IshcheykinaRussia3.03The silly antics of the dog have long been getting on the owner’s nerves. But is there a hidden meaning behind them?
Something FishyChristina WooUSA (Cal Arts)3.3Sara is getting ready to go on a date with her new boyfriend, but Jessica, Sara’s pet goldfish, notices something not quite right about him.
The Calm of the CicadasSarah Deredec, Camille Collins, Clémence Ansquer, Juliette Le Hir, Chun-i Cheng, Ambre Muamba, Salomé LeroyFrance (Supinfocom Rubika)5.11To save the tranquility of his paradisiac Mediterranean island, threatened by the noise of boats, Marcel will embark on a merciless battle that will break the ears of many. But he will gets carried away, causing the destruction of his entire environment.
There Can Only Be OneBritney FanUSA (USC)2.54Upon visiting her boyfriend’s apartment for the first time, Kat encounters her biggest and most unexpected rival—his cat.
The 12 Inch PianistLucas AnselUSA (RISD)7.28A bar joke goes awry, unraveling into a surreal tale that explores the acceptance of self, others, and queer identity.

Saturday Nov 8, 9:00 – 10:30pm
The Horror Show

Reserve your free tickets here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1898820496219

Bloodletting (Sangre Petrolera)Alejandro Jiménez MoraCosta Rica (LCI Veritas)3.01Carmen lives her normal and peaceful life in an indigenous reserve alongside her brother Luis. However, everything changes when the Oil Company launches a violent attack against her community, from which Carmen and Luis try to escape alive.
Die for a Pie?Samira SikderIreland (Institution of Art and Design IADT)2.14In a cosy cottage by the forest, there lives a little Pumpkin man. On a stormy night he goes out into his pumpkin patch to harvest a pumpkin.
EntertainmentFrank CaninoCuba (Facultad de Arte de los Medios de Comunicación Audiovisual)3Some medieval jesters go through the experience of entertaining a king. All this with the risk of being executed if their interpretations are misunderstood by an authority blind to art.
Human and human+1Zahra Shafiei DehaghaniIran, Canada (Taheri Academy – Toronto)2.09Man has been cast out of paradise and exiled to earth. He produces a generation that corrupts and steals on earth.
Les BêtesMichael GranberryUSA11.38A mysterious rabbit with a set of magic keys summons a host of strange creatures to entertain a wicked king and his decadent court.
Not Breathing in the DarkYugami Sasaki, Greg BirkumshawJapan5.1A girl revisits her sinister house to see her family.
Perfect City: The Mother (PT1)Shengwei ZhouUSA (USC)6.35A dry wood mother decides to carve her root baby into a human due to the loss of her flesh body parts.
Perfect City: The Bravest Kid (PT2)Shengwei ZhouUSA (USC)6.19Chased by his nightmare knife hand, the paper boy has to confront his real fear which was supposed to be his hope.
SublimeMarie Heribel, Candice Yernaux, Juliette Buysschaert, Camille Leroy, Joséphine Vendeville, Martin Laurent, Lucas FoutrierFrance (Piktura)8.02In a society where beauty is revered like a deity, a doll seeks to find her place.
The Commitment (El Deber)Bernardo Martínez CalderónMexico (Tecnológico de Monterrey Campus Guadalajara)2.09A mysterious parchment reaches the queen’s hands: a great threat is coming. She will have to prepare to face this danger and protect her king, otherwise they could lose everything to this unknown enemy.
The GlowElisa Lefebvre, Marina Monlouis, Coline CourgeyFrance (Piktura)4.14A lamb, a fox, a bear, a snake, and a raccoon are around a table surrounded by darkness.
The MonsterBen SheppardUK (University of Brighton)2.07A scientist assembles his greatest creation yet.
The Paper Ghost (Il Fantasma di carta)Fulvio Davide RiccaItaly6.11Edgar Allan Poe is devastated by the loss of his beloved Annabelle. During a sleepless night, the girl’s ghost visits him.
The 300th HeadOlivier Jean, Thierry CattantFrance8.46As he prepares to take the metro to cut off his 300th head, Anatole Deibler, the famous executioner, collapses, the victim of an embolism. During this final second of agony, he is offered a unique mission: to execute the greatest French assassin who has ever lived: himself.
A Devil in the Pocket (Un Diable dans la Poche)Antoine Bonnet, Mathilde LoubesFrance (Gobelins)6.0A group of children witnesses a crime and is forced to remain silent. Auguste, the youngest, finds the burden too heavy and decides to reveal this secret. To punish this treason, the rest of the kids plan to get rid of him.
WakingTingmu YangChina15.33A famous actress gradually slips from her everyday life into a series of bizarre and haunting nightmares. As reality is invaded by illusions, the entire city begins to unravel and collapse.
Whittled DownOlly GlennUSA (Northeastern University)4.59Carlisle has been trapped in this cabin for a long, long time. There are no doors, and the windows only open to an endless black void. With nothing to do but whittle and wait, a single thought lingers at the forefront of his mind: there’s something wrong with that clock.

Sunday Nov 9, 11:00am – 12:30pm
It’s Raining Cats and Dogs

Reserve your free tickets here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1898884266959

A Song about a DogSergey StrusovskyRussia9.44The world through the eyes of a dog.
Blacky the Metal Arm CatNic HoHong Kong15.25In a world where martial arts have lost their value due to the arrival of alien technology, a black cat with a mechanical arm seeks revenge for his slain master. Determined to confront enemies equipped with alien tech, Blacky uses traditional martial arts.
Cat InterviewEnora Laden, Erwan Galtier, Baptiste Lebrun, Alexandre Bal, Séréna Prince AgbodjanFrance (Piktura)5.54Lucas, a very creative little boy, decides to interview his kitten called Cahuète he rescued a month earlier in the street. However, the cat always does what he wants and avoids the boy’s questions. Lucas, very insistent, ends up angering Cahuète.
Cat-TastropheMorgan SeiglerUSA (Chapman University)3.13A cat, through its catastrophic antics, inspires a villainous inventor to devise her most evil plan yet. 3D animated slapstick comedy.
Fluff & FuriousChieh-Chih LiaoUSA (USC)3.43A fluffy pup, inspired by its wild relative, sets out to prove it’s more than just a soft fur ball.
Monsieur FigaroSarah Benhammou-LionnardFrance4Monsieur Figaro is a lazy, haughty, and even disdainful creature who tricks, deceives, and lies to his two loving owners.
Rail CatsCharlie McCarlFlorida (FSU)3.1It’s an explosive situation as two feckless felines must find a way to stop their runaway locomotive before it reaches a munitions factory.
The DogSogand VatankhahIran4.16A man gets lost in the desert with his dog. Suddenly, an accident occurs, and the man and the dog must find a way to save themselves.
Running LateHannah PorterFlorida (University of Tampa)1.57A dog is waiting for his owner to come home.
Still With YouRyan LivesayUSA (USC)8.28After his canine best friend goes missing, Ollie the cat must journey through the Lake Tahoe wilderness to find her.
Stupid DogDaria IshcheykinaRussia3.03The silly antics of the dog have long been getting on the owner’s nerves. But is there a hidden meaning behind them?
There Can Only Be OneBritney FanUSA (USC)2.54Upon visiting her boyfriend’s apartment for the first time, Kat encounters her biggest and most unexpected rival — his cat.

Sunday Nov 9, 1:00 – 2:30pm
Freshly Squeezed (Florida Shorts)

Reserve your free tickets here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1898931979669

Ancestral InterventionMichelle MuliFlorida (University of Florida)3Malaika tries to enjoy a date with her boyfriend despite the constant meddling of the ghost of her strong-willed, traditional grandmother.
Beyond the ScoreSara ValenzuelaFlorida (FSU – Florida State University)2.32When a conductor of the stars tries to enforce order, an innovative star leads him to discover the beauty of creativity within structure.
Catching LightVlada EvtushenkoFlorida (UCF – University of Central Florida)4.5Believing herself to be a failure as a painter, Renee works at a pigment shop instead. Will she master the courage to pick up the brush again, repair her friend’s painting, and finally find faith in her own abilities?
Flora and the Cloud MakerTiffany MarinFlorida (UCF – University of Central Florida)2.59The Cloud Maker learns the value of rest through her sentient houseplant, Flora.
ForagedAshli BudnikFlorida (UCF – University of Central Florida)1.36Foraged is a fantasy stop-motion animation that follows an elf named Sybil who discovers a sentient mushroom while foraging through the woods.
Holy CowKarthik SwaminathanFlorida (Ringling College)2.16A snooty boy hurries to school through the streets of India, but is constantly impeded by all the cows on the road. He finally snaps and rejects the importance placed on them in Indian culture. But when the holy spirit of the cow arrives to teach him a lesson, he must find a way to escape her wrath or atone for his anti-cow transgressions.
(L)on(e)lyJustin LeonardFlorida (University of Tampa)4.47Stop Motion animation that explores the dilemas of a lonely robot discovering he may be responsible for a horrible accident
PatchworkKarsyn FletcherFlorida (FSU – Florida State University)2.37A determined sprite builds a scarecrow to save her pumpkin, but when it grows too big, she must adapt in the face of change.
Planet BlueHannah PorterFlorida (University of Tampa)0.49An alien explores an alien blue planet
Powder MonkeyJada Green, Reese WolfeFlorida (Ringling College)3.01Chaos ensues when a monkey is mistakenly hired to work the cannons of a pirate ship.
Ragtime FolliesRylee RebolFlorida (FSU – Florida State University)2.11A young performer forgets to bring her tap shoes and must navigate how to still make music with her feet without her main instrument.
Rail CatsCharlie McCarlFlorida (FSU – Florida State University)3.1It’s an explosive situation as two feckless felines must find a way to stop their runaway locomotive before it reaches a munitions factory.
Right Hand ManEmma Greenman, Yaumara CarrionFlorida (Ringling College)3.01No one likes to be a third wheel on a first date.
RootedGina BernardiniFlorida (University of Tampa)2.33Rooted is a 2D-animated short film about a woman who wants nothing more than to live free with whom she considers to be family. She grounds herself amongst them in an attempt to escape societal constraints and finally discovers a life of growth beyond restriction. This is also what I predicted might happen to me if I keep purchasing plants at the rate I do.
Running LateHannah PorterFlorida (University of Tampa)1.57A dog is waiting for his owner to come home.
ShadeChristian CarranzaFlorida (University of Tampa)3.35A gentle robot who discovers a small potted plant and takes it upon itself to protect it—believing it’s its duty to preserve all life. As decades pass, the robot faces the test of time and nature, and a quiet, enduring bond blossoms between the two, evolving into something deeply meaningful far into the future.
ShelvedAmanda PearsonFlorida (University of Tampa)1.51I knew that I wanted to create a lighthearted, brightly-colored film, and I came up with the idea of a character that is trying to put a prized item on a shelf, but keeps getting disrupted by an unknown force. I was inspired by cartoons like Tom and Jerry and Looney Toons, with physical comedy and over-exaggerated facial expressions. I ended up with a sock puppet-like character because I felt that it would be a fun style to work with for my vision, and would be relatively easy to draw over and over again.
Technical DifficultiesGiovanni KellyFlorida (University of Central Florida)3.1A dedicated Game Technician manages a struggling arcade with little foot traffic and fading relevance. One day, he discovers a colony of rats secretly inhabiting the machines. By day, they hide; by night, they come out to play, cherishing the games he maintains.
The DeliveryKylie HarlanFlorida (University of Tampa)0.31A cute postman is happily doing his job
The FeastHaibei Ma, Nancy LeeFlorida (Ringling College)2.45A young girl, Esther, is lost in a forest, while trying to get home, she gets intercepted by a rat, who tries to invite her to a feast with other forest animals. Esther rejects the invite and tries to leave, only to find herself back at the table. Over and over. Until finally, she finds herself on the table, and the animals descend upon the feast. A final image reveals a more realistic rendition of a young girl being consumed by forest animals.
The Loaf MovieJasmine LiawFlorida (University of Tampa alum)3.15The slice of heel bread trying to explore its purpose in life.
The Oldest TrophySarabelle SlicerFlorida (University of Central Florida)5.41A trophy hunter follows the mark of an albino deer into the heart of the forest.
The Language of FlowersNat DillehayFlorida (University of Central Florida)1.32A charming love story unfolds between a clumsy cat and a flower-loving hare.
We Cool?Yizhen HouFlorida (University of South Florida)7.38Through bad dates and bong rips, a flamboyant bird attempts to salvage a night that keeps going from bad to worse.