Animation - ISFFT 2026
Animation
ISFFT 2026
Hot Mess
Synopsis: Hot Mess offers a concise and creative look at ADHD, highlighting the damage and anguish that a well-meaning but ultimately toxic parent can cause. Voiced by Nicola Walker (Last Tango In Halifax, The Split, Unforgotten).
Synopsis: Hot 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. Voiced by Nicola Walker (Last Tango In Halifax, The Split, Unforgotten).
Transit
Synopsis: Transit is an experimental film that constructs a social metaphor through the world of a farm, reflecting on the alienation and numbness of individuals subjected to the incessant repetition of modern labor. Through an abstract visual narrative and a distinctive soundscape, the film traces the mechanization of actions and the loss of human emotion. Amid the stratifications of labor, time and space are continually compressed, while the presence of the individual dissolves into the grand narrative of industrialization.
Synopsis: Transit is an experimental film that serves as a profound social metaphor, using the world of a farm to reflect on the alienation and numbness of individuals subjected to the relentless repetition of modern labor. Through abstract visual storytelling and a unique soundscape design, the film artfully conveys the mechanization of actions and the loss of human emotion. Amid layered depictions of labor, time and space are continuously compressed, and the individual's presence dissolves into the grand narrative of industrialization. Employing minimalist compositions and symbolic motifs, the work captures the tension within societal structures and the erosion of vitality, seeking to establish a dialogue that balances emotional and rational perspectives.
Compost
Synopsis: Having come from Ukraine to France in 2012, I am a young director with more than ten short films, selected and internationally acclaimed. I aim to diversify and explore new forms of cinema, working in different genres. However, this diversity of films has a common basis. Whether dealing with the environment or international conflicts, I remain sensitive to current events while telling my story.
Synopsis: Arrived from Ukraine in France in 2012, I am a young director with more than ten short films to my credit, selected and awarded internationally. I want to diversify and explore new forms of filmmaking, working on several genres. However, this variety of films has a common background. Whether it's about the environment or international conflicts, I remain sensitive to current events while telling my story.
Offbeat
Synopsis: Leo's days all seem the same — mechanical and heavy, as if he were just a robot repeating the same actions. Little by little, he gives up the things that once brought him joy, until he feels that he too has a place in a bin labeled "meaningless." But it is there that he finds parts of himself that he thought he had lost: his former passions and the things that made him feel alive. Reconnecting with them, Leo begins to remember what it means to live and feel joy. Music becomes the force that pulls him out of that empty space and, in the end, he chooses the path he wants and takes a step towards the world of music.
Synopsis: Leo's days all feel the same—mechanical, heavy, like he's nothing more than a robot going through the motions. Bit by bit, he lets go of the things he used to enjoy. Eventually, it feels like even he himself belongs in a trash bin labeled "meaningless." But somewhere in that trash, he finds the pieces of himself he thought he'd lost—his old passions, the things that once made him feel alive. Reconnecting with them, Leo starts to remember what it means to live and feel joy. Music becomes a power that pulls him away from that empty, lifeless space. In the end, he chooses the path he enjoyed and takes the step into the world of music.
The Fishbowl
Synopsis: In an overcrowded city, a mechanical robot lives its daily routine until the glass helmet that protects its head breaks. Forced to find a replacement, the robot embarks on a journey and gradually realizes that what was hidden behind the glass may not be something it should fear.
Synopsis: In a crowded city, a mechanic robot lives its routine life—until the glass helmet protecting its head shatters. Forced to find a replacement, the robot embarks on a journey, only to slowly realize that what the glass was hiding might not need to be feared after all.
A Sparrow's Song
Synopsis: Inspired by a true story, the film follows a widow serving as an anti-aircraft gunner during World War II as she struggles to overcome grief and rediscover the joy of life — until she finds a dying sparrow, whom she hopes to save.
Synopsis: Inspired by a true story, a widowed air raid warden in the midst of World War II struggles to overcome grief and rediscover joy in her life—until she finds a dying sparrow she hopes to save.
Big River
Synopsis: A day in the life of a boy who met a calf.
Synopsis: A day in the life of the boy who met a calf.
The Linden Performer
Synopsis: The Linden Performer is a 3D animated short film about a puppet who dreams of becoming a performer. When she is given the opportunity to live out this dream, she gradually begins to realize that reality is not what she imagined.
Synopsis: The Linden Performer is a 3D animated short film about a marionette who dreams of becoming a performer. When she gets the chance to live that life, she slowly starts to realize that it's not what she thought it would be.
Plak
Synopsis: Stuck in a sticky fly trap. Frozen in a block of ice. Endlessly plunging into the past through the screen. This surreal mixed-media short film follows its hapless protagonist as he tries to find his way out.
Synopsis: Stuck in a sticky flytrap. Frozen in a block of ice. Doomcrolling trough the past. This surreal mixed media short film follows its pitiful protagonist as he finds his way out.
A Fish Out of Water
Synopsis: Fish Out of Water explores the emotional journey of a young man dealing with cultural disconnection. The film captures the quiet but profound discomfort of feeling out of place in an environment where others seem to fit in naturally. Through its narrative, the film delves into the inner turmoil and silent resilience of someone navigating a world that is both familiar and foreign.
Synopsis: Fish Out of Water explores the poignant journey of a young adult grappling with cultural disconnection. The film captures the subtle, yet profound discomfort of feeling out of place while surrounded by an environment that seems effortlessly at ease. Through its evocative storytelling, the narrative delves into the inner turmoil and quiet resilience of navigating a world that feels both familiar and alien, creating a relatable and introspective experience.
Koli
Synopsis: Koli follows the adventurous and humorous journey of a fisherman determined to make the catch of the day. Through exaggerated adventures and unexpected challenges, the film offers a humorous yet heartfelt portrait of the hardships faced by the Koli community. Combining action, adversity and resilience, the film transforms everyday hardships into a fun adventure at sea.
Synopsis: Koli follows the thrilling and comedic journey of a fisherman determined to make the catch of the day. Through exaggerated adventures and unexpected challenges, the film offers a humorous, yet heartfelt portrayal of the struggles faced by the Koli community. With a blend of action, misfortune, and resilience, Koli turns everyday hardships into an entertaining escapade on the high seas.
The Last Winged Puppy
Synopsis: A forest that was once home to winged dogs has now been destroyed, after they all mysteriously disappeared. All except for a winged puppy, who lives alone until he meets a group of magical forest creatures.
Synopsis: A forest that was once a winged dog's sanctuary is now in ruins after all of the winged dogs have mysteriously disappeared. All except one winged puppy who lives alone, until he encounters a group of forest sprites.
Pitica and The Perfect Sandwich
Synopsis: A young child living in a wasteland searches for the last ingredient to make the perfect sandwich.
Synopsis: A little child living in a wasteland searches for the last ingredient to craft the perfect sandwich
Absorta
Synopsis: Nara, an exhausted young woman, decides to take a bath after a long day. But as she lies down in the bathtub to relax, her moment of introspection is interrupted by a fish stuck in the drain pipe. Deep, unknown waters open up before her, as different stages of her life seep into this space.
Synopsis: Nara, an exhausted young adult, decides to take a shower after a long day. But when she lies down in the bathtub to relax, her moment of introspection is interrupted by a fish stuck in the drain. Deep and unknown waters will be explored as she is invaded by different phases of her life.
Golden
Synopsis: This six-minute short film presents a fierce conflict between the protagonists, permeated by cunning and deceit. While themes of greed and ambition are clearly evident, the story unfolds with a comedic twist, offering a playful yet sharp commentary on human nature.
Synopsis: This 6-minute short film depicts a fierce conflict among its protagonists, laced with an air of cunning and deception. While themes of greed and ambition are clearly exposed, the story unfolds with a comedic twist, delivering a playful yet sharp commentary on human nature.
One Day the Sun Explodes
Synopsis: After the Sun explodes, humanity has disappeared and the protagonist finds herself as the last human left alive. A new civilization has taken humanity's place on Earth. Frightened and disoriented, she refuses to accept this strange reality, while unusual and curious creatures follow her every step.
Synopsis: After the Sun explodes, humanity is gone — the main character finds herself as the last human left alive. A new civilization has taken Earth's place. Scared and disoriented, she refuses to accept this bizarre reality, while strange, curious creatures follow her every step
The Mirror
Synopsis: The story of two close people who experience the pain of loss and try to cope with it each alone. A father and his daughter, after losing the person closest to them — their mother and wife — each try to live with grief in their own way. The mother had given the daughter a mirror, which supports her in difficult moments. As she looks into it, the daughter remembers the beautiful times spent together as a family.
Synopsis: The story of how two close people experience their grief and try to cope with their grief alone. A father and daughter, having lost the closest person - their mother and wife, try to cope with their grief in their own way. The mother gave the girl a mirror, which supports her in a difficult situation. Looking into it, she remembers the wonderful time spent in a friendly family
From Plush and Wire
Synopsis: In a world where everything is made of plush and wire, a dinosaur entertains itself, while the hand of the creator brings a friend to life.
Synopsis: In a world where everything is made from plush and wire, a dinosaur keeps itself entertained while the hand of the creator brings a friend to life.
Margot
Synopsis: Margo, a short puppet animation film, tells the story of a young inventor who faces the challenge of creating a device. But she lacks some of the necessary plans and her work is constantly interrupted by mysterious drawers. The character must deal with successive failures and the interference of an unknown entity — an enemy, or perhaps a friend?
Synopsis: A puppet animation short film called Margo tells the story of a young inventor facing the challenge of creating an invention. However, she lacks some of the plans for the device in question and is also interrupted by mysterious drawers in the middle of her work. The character has to deal with constant failures, as well as interference from an unknown entity - an enemy, or perhaps a friend?
Closing Hour
Synopsis: An animated horror film. Mia, a cashier working alone at a remote gas station, is unexpectedly visited by Damon, the boyfriend she has broken up with. The tense meeting is interrupted when Damon sees something outside and immediately retreats to the bathroom. Mia checks the security cameras and sees a masked gunman, so she hides. But the masked figure is actually hunting a monster: Damon. He transforms into the monster and devours the hunter. Terrified, Mia tries to leave quietly, but inadvertently attracts his attention. She manages to escape, locks Damon inside, and sets the gas station on fire using gasoline from the pump. Damon dies and Mia escapes.
Synopsis: An animated horror film. Mia, a cashier working alone at a remote gas station, is unexpectedly visited by her estranged boyfriend, Damon. Their tense encounter is interrupted when Damon suddenly retreats to the bathroom after spotting something outside. Mia checks the security cameras and sees a masked gunman, causing her to hide. But the masked figure is actually hunting a monster... Damon. The boyfriend quickly turns into a monster and devours the hunter. Terrified, Mia attempts a quiet escape but accidentally alerts him. She narrowly escapes, locks Damon inside, and sets the gas station on fire using gasoline from a pump. Damon dies, and Mia escapes.
Leviathan
Synopsis: An astronaut finds himself stranded in an alien landscape, where he discovers the secret of this territory and comes to terms with his own death.
Synopsis: A spaceman found himself stranded on an alien landscape, discovered the secret of the land and reconciled with his passing.
The Lighthouse
Synopsis: The lonely widow of a lighthouse keeper finds a wounded creature washed up on the shore. Now she faces a difficult choice: continue to exist within the past or overcome the pain and allow herself to move on with life.
Synopsis: The lonely widow of a lighthouse keeper finds a wounded creature on the shore. Now she is faced with a hard choice - should she continue existing in the past or to step over her grief and allow herself to live on.
It happened in the morning
Synopsis: Grandma and Grandpa have lived a long and happy life, enjoying the little things together. One morning, the old woman discovers in place of her husband a huge, clumsy turtle, with whom she must now learn to live.
Synopsis: Grandma and Grandpa lived a long and happy life, enjoying the little things together. One morning the old lady discovers a huge, clumsy turtle instead of her husband, with whom she will have to learn to live.
Le Plongeon
Synopsis: As diving competitor Nathan climbs the diving board to perform the trick that could make him a champion, he begins to question the love he is sacrificing in the name of his achievement.
Synopsis: As diving competitor Nathan steps up to the board to perform the trick that will make him a champion, he questions the love he is sacrificing in the name of his accomplishment.
