Amazing
ANIMATIONS
Donations help us keep entries free for UK’s marginalised filmmakers, charities and filmmakers from Ukraine.
It also helps us keep the screenings free of cost for millions of viewers from across the world.
Yu-Hsuan Chen
In the film, Lucy faces an inner battle with her “critical demon,” a manifestation of self-doubt and anxiety that many of us carry. Through a playful yet profound rap battle, she challenges this voice, using the power of Hip-Hop to confront her insecurities head-on.
This story is relevant to anyone because self-criticism is a universal experience. We all have moments when we feel inadequate or paralyzed by our inner critic. By turning Lucy’s struggle into a rap battle, the film explores how self-expression and creativity can be empowering tools for overcoming these mental hurdles. Whether you resonate with the pressures of perfectionism or simply enjoy the blend of music and storytelling, Lucy’s journey offers a relatable, uplifting reminder to embrace your true self. It’s a powerful message of resilience and self-acceptance that we can all take to heart.
Rosa Pannitschka, Ludwig Schramm
How Water makes Climate, is an original 12-minute animation, portrays the crucial connection between water cycles and the climate. The animation shows what a healthy intact water cycle is, the consequences of its destruction, and how our broken water cycle can be restored. How Water makes Climate is an engaging and educational animation that inspires youth to learn about the importance of water and with that, to also take action in their communities, as many are already doing. This animation It is also part of our documentary Water is Love : Ripples of ReGeneration that explores the crucial connection between water cycles and the climate. Prioritizing restoring healthy water cycles can change the direction of the climate movement from adaptation to regeneration, from centralized to decentralized solutions, and from seeking tech fixes to healing our relationship with the living Earth.
Mostafa Borzouyan Dastjerdi
As a filmmaker and animator, I am deeply committed to preserving the beauty of nature and feel a profound responsibility towards both Mother Earth and the human soul. Through my work, I strive to raise awareness about the pressing environmental issues we face today and emphasize the importance of living in harmony with the natural world.
Cinema and animation possess the unique power to evoke change, stir emotions, and inspire action. With every project I undertake, my goal is to craft stories that not only entertain but also prompt reflection on the relationship between humanity and the environment. I am eager to use my skills and platform to make a positive and lasting impact, contributing to a future where art and nature coexist in balance.
Chantal Spittles, Giada Origlia, Josh Booth
Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological conditions, affecting more than 65 million people across the world. It’s an invisible condition, which anyone can develop at any age and which impacts people and their loved ones in so many ways beyond their seizures. With an epilepsy diagnosis comes a whole new life to navigate – from accessing the right healthcare to managing the impact on education employment, relationships and independence. It can disrupt and change lives significantly, leaving those affected feeling misunderstood and overlooked by society.
Our film ‘A Place I’m Meant To Know’ takes people on a powerful and immersive journey, bringing to life real-life experiences for how seizures can feel for people with epilepsy in a way we can all relate to in our everyday lives. A seizure may only last a few minutes but it can leave people feeling confused and disorientated, in a place that feels both familiar and alien at the same time. We wanted to create a shared experience that gives people with epilepsy a voice to shine a light on their experiences and help others understand what they feel, even if they have never experienced a seizure before.
By taking people on this journey, we want to open up much-needed conversations across the world about what epilepsy is and how we all have our role to play in supporting people to feel an included and valued part of society.
Jorge Morais
In the animated short film In Half, directed by the talented Jorge Morais, we delve into the universal theme of fear and its profound implications on the fabric of our lives. The narrative revolves around a young boy grappling with his inner trepidations, a poignant invitation for audiences to reflect upon their own struggles. Fear, as we know, is a quintessential human experience, one that knows no boundaries or cultural confines. It has the capacity to stifle creativity, impede growth, and thwart our aspirations.
The film’s message resonates deeply, transcending geographic divides. By recognising and embracing our fears, we cultivate the resilience and courage necessary to navigate life’s myriad challenges. Morais skillfully highlights the importance of confronting our pasts; it is through this difficult yet essential journey that we empower ourselves to sculpt our own futures. Healing, after all, requires us to face our errors, grant ourselves forgiveness, and transform our experiences into the foundation for a more affirmative existence.
Ultimately, grappling with the themes presented in this film is a collective obligation. Each of us has a part to play in fostering a safe, secure, and sustainable future—not solely for ourselves, but for the generations yet to come. In nurturing a culture of understanding and acceptance, we can inspire one another to rise above the spectres of fear and uncertainty. Together, we have the capacity to forge a world where individuals feel emboldened to confront their challenges, embrace their histories, and craft audacious new conclusions to their narratives. It is through our shared courage that we can illuminate the path towards a brighter, more hopeful tomorrow.
Lisa Ott
Eleven-year-old Sam is secretly starting to question their gender identity and is finding it difficult to express how they feel. But one night, while ritualistically caressing their older sister’s dress, a fearless urban fox jumps through the window and steals it. Trying desperately to retrieve it out of fear of being caught, Sam is led on a wild goose chase through the family home and into the dark attic. When they eventually fumble around and find the light switch, they realise that there is much more to this mysterious fox than Sam could’ve ever dreamed of. The unlikely duo embark on a magical musical journey to discover the surprising things they might have in common, and how to celebrate the ways in which they differ.
The message of Dragfox is deeply relevant to anyone, regardless of where they live. In a world that can often feel divisive, the film encourages empathy and understanding for those whose lives may appear different from our own. It highlights the importance of personal freedom, challenging societal norms that attempt to box individuals into predefined categories.
Whether in rural or urban environments, from conservative to progressive societies, the film’s themes of authenticity and the courage to stand out resonate universally. Dragfox reminds us that we all share the desire to be loved, respected, and accepted for who we truly are.