Section

Animation Spotlight

This spotlight highlights innovative animated films and shorts that push the boundaries of the medium. Films such as Captain Avispa, a Dominican feature, bring vibrant and unique storytelling to the forefront, while shorts like Aquatic and Sweeter Is the Night blend artistry and narrative. These selections represent a broad array of animation techniques and genres, from whimsical and playful to thought-provoking and poignant.

Animation Spotlight, Asian Focus, International Spotlight, Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

Aquatic

Film Aquatic Directed by Shiva Sadegh Asadi A woman’s ability to give birth to marine creatures is exploited for commercial purposes.

Animation Spotlight, Cinema for Students Programs, Shorts Competition

Brim Broome Boulevard

Film Brim Broome Boulevard Directed by PJ Magerko-Liquorice When a child wanders through a set of mysterious doors, they embark on a journey of self-discovery where...

Animation Spotlight, Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

But I’m a Shoe

Film But I’m a Shoe Directed by Chen Drachman This is the story of a woman who wanted to fly comfortably, so she used a new service...

Animation Spotlight, Cinema for Students Programs, International Spotlight, SLIFF/Kids Family Films, Spanish-Language Focus

Captain Avispa

Film Captain Avispa Directed by Jean Gabriel Guerra, Jonnathan Meléndez In the first ever animated feature film from The Dominican Republic, Capitán Avispa, hero of Avispatrópolis and the...

Animation Spotlight, Cinema for Students Programs, Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

Chain

Film Chain Directed by LING HAN “Chain” is visually stunning and emotionally rich, expressing nature’s survival instincts and prompting viewers to ponder life’s deeper...

Animation Spotlight, International Spotlight, Robert French and French-Language Focus, Shorts Competition

#DoudouChallenge

Film #DoudouChallenge Directed by Alexandra Delaunay-Fernandez, Julie Majcher, Marine Benabdallah-Crolais, Noémie Segalowicz, Scott Pardailhé-Galabrun, Sixtine Emerat On the road to her family vacation, Olivia, a 10-year old girl hooked on her phone and social...

Animation Spotlight, International Spotlight, Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

Fracti

Film Fracti Directed by Lavinia Petrache Humans live their routines inside a village floating in the sky. What happens when one of them causes...

Animation Spotlight, Asian Focus, International Spotlight, Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

In the Shadow of the Cypress

Film In the Shadow of the Cypress Directed by Hossein Molayemi, Shirin Sohani Struggling to connect with his daughter, a former captain suffering from PTSD, experiences an unforeseen event that could...

Animation Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Is Joe Home?

Film Is Joe Home? Directed by Robert Tate “Is Joe Home?” is a Short film inspired by voicemails and sketches from the filmmaker’s friend, revealing childhood...

Animation Spotlight, Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

Le Charade

Film Le Charade Directed by Erika Totoro A psychological comedy set in a run-down 1950s diner, “Le Charade” follows the final performance of a lonely...

Animation Spotlight, Robert French and French-Language Focus, Shorts Competition

Les Vouèsins

Film Les Vouèsins Directed by Brian Hawkins In this Missouri French folktale, Petit Jean is a farmer who also happens to be the devil’s neighbor....

Animation Spotlight, Cinema for Students Programs, Shorts Competition

LUKi and the Lights

Film LUKi and the Lights Directed by Toby Cochran LUKi, a lively and cheerful robot, faces a life-changing ALS diagnosis with remarkable resilience.

Animation Spotlight, International Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Milimo

Film Milimo Directed by Kemane Bâ Attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea for a better future, young Ahmadou finds himself bridging the line between...

Animation Spotlight, Asian Focus, International Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Monsoon Blue

Film Monsoon Blue Directed by Ellis Kayin CHAN, Jay Hiukit WONG The dream of a goldfish to return to its wild form unearths her long-forgotten memories.

Animation Spotlight, International Spotlight, Shorts Competition

On the 8th Day

Film On the 8th Day Directed by Agathe Sénéchal, Alicia Massez, Elise Debruyne, Flavie Carin, Théo Duhautois It took 7 days to create the world; it only took one to disrupt its balance.

Animation Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Onward Ye Costumed Souls

Film Onward Ye Costumed Souls Directed by Patrick Smith Thy back shall be broken, thy soul shall be enslaved, and thou shall assume, nay inherit, the role...

Animation Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Remember Us

Film Remember Us Directed by Pablo Leon A journalist documents the experiences of those who lived through the 12-year Salvadoran Civil War, exploring childhood loss,...

Animation Spotlight, Asian Focus, International Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Satomi

Film Satomi Directed by Rayner Wang A inadvertent encounter with her favorite star, a living anime, may be the key to helping a passionate...

Animation Spotlight, Asian Focus, International Spotlight, Shorts Competition, Women in Film Spotlight

Stills Moving

Film Stills Moving Directed by Kevin Tsung Hsuan Yeh After learning of her ALS diagnosis, a sculptor puts her heart and soul into her next work, a...

Animation Spotlight, International Spotlight, Robert French and French-Language Focus, Shorts Competition

Sweeter is the night

Film Sweeter is the night Directed by Fabienne WAGENAAR In the early 1960s, during West Africa’s push for independence, a young French officer is sent to find...

Animation Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Tennis, Oranges

Film Tennis, Oranges Directed by Sean Pecknold A robotic vacuum suffering from burnout quits its job at a hospital and sets out to find community...

Animation Spotlight, Asian Focus, International Spotlight, Shorts Competition

The Shortest Relationship in the World

Film The Shortest Relationship in the World Directed by Xiaoxuan Han This may be the Shortest relationship in the world.

Animation Spotlight, Asian Focus, Cinema for Students Programs, International Spotlight, Shorts Competition

The Song of Flying Leaves

Film The Song of Flying Leaves Directed by Armine Anda A magical journey unfolds as twelve-year-old Suna, who uses leaves as a blanket, meets an old man with...

Animation Spotlight, International Spotlight, Shorts Competition, Spanish-Language Focus

The Strange Case Of The Human Cannonball

Film The Strange Case Of The Human Cannonball Directed by Roberto Valencia One morning, a mysterious man is discovered lying in the square of a village with only six residents,...

Animation Spotlight, International Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Three Hares

Film Three Hares Directed by Paloma Baeza Three Hares weaves an enchanting creation myth and the mystical origin story of the ancient three hares symbol...

Animation Spotlight, International Spotlight, Robert French and French-Language Focus, Shorts Competition

Via Dolorosa

Film Via Dolorosa Directed by Rachel GUTGARTS Between drug addiction, first discoveries of sexuality and a permanent state of war, the filmmaker searches for her...

Animation Spotlight, International Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Volcelest

Film Volcelest Directed by Eric Briche With the arrival of winter, Fuseline, the little ermine, forced by lack of food, flees her wild environment...

Animation Spotlight, International Spotlight, Shorts Competition

Wander to Wonder

Film Wander to Wonder Directed by Nina GANTZ Mary, Billybud, and Fumbleton – miniature human actors from the ’80s kids’ TV show “Wander to Wonder,” –...