The Puppet and the Whale (Il Burattino e la Balena)
Countries: France, Italy
Directed by: Roberto Catani
Produced by: Emmanuel-alain Raynal, Pierre Baussaron, Davide Ferazza, Alessandro Giorgio; Miyu Productions, Withstand
Synopsis: The story of a puppet, from his “birth” to the uncertain decision to follow the example of his father/creator, through discovering a humanity that frightens him, and of which he will have to become a part.
Qualifying win: Grand Prize for Best Short Animated Film at Ottawa International Animation Festival (Canada)
The Quinta’s Ghost
Country: Spain
Directed by: James A. Castillo
Produced by: Raul Rochas, James A Castillo; Illusorium, Martirio Films
Synopsis: After the death of his wife, Spanish artist Francisco Goya withdraws from public life to a crumbling house on the outskirts of Madrid and is tormented by the ghosts of his past.
Qualifying wins: Winner of two Méliès d’Argent awards at the Sitges Film Festival and the Ramaskrik Film Festival
Radix
Country: Germany
Directed by: Anne Breymann
Produced by: Anne Breymann
Synopsis: Two creatures meet on a tree. Their encounter goes deep down to the roots and beyond.
Qualifying win: Animation Shorts Jury Award at New Hampshire Film Festival
Reborn With You
Country: South Korea
Directed by: Inju Park
Produced by: Inju Park
Synopsis: One day, I dedicated a part of myself to my sister’s soul, which disappeared in name-calling. It was the day I realized that this death might be mine. So I decided to move to a world of her remains to be reborn together.
Qualifying win: PÖFF Shorts (Best Animation Short) at Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (Estonia)
Retirement Plan
Country: Ireland
Directed by: John Kelly
Produced by: Julie Murnaghan, Andrew Freedman; Antidote
Synopsis: A short animated film commissioned by Screen Ireland and RTÉ, Retirement Plan tells the story of Ray as he fantasizes about everything he’d love to do in retirement, once he finally has the “time.”
Qualifying wins: Best Irish Professional Short at Animation Dingle (Ireland); Best of the Festival Award at Palm Springs International ShortFest; Animation Shorts Competition Jury Award at South by Southwest; Best Short Animation at the Bali International Film Festival (Indonesia)
The Sacred Society
Country: United States
Directed by: Benny Zelkowicz
Produced by: Benny Zelkowicz
Synopsis: The Sacred Society centers on the volunteers who clean and prepare and dress bodies for burial according to Jewish tradition, an exploration of why they choose this work and how it changes them.
Qualifying win: Best Documentary Short Award at San Francisco Jewish Film Festival
Satomi
Countries: Japan, United States, Hong Kong
Directed by: Rayner Wang
Produced by: Roy Finch, Susie Landau Finch, Georgina Pope
Synopsis: Combining animation and live-action footage, this short film tells the story of a singer’s attempts to overcome her stage fright with the help of her favorite artist.
Qualifying win: Best Animated Short at St. Louis International Film Festival
Scars We Love
Country: France
Directed by: Raphael Jouzeau
Produced by: Francesca Betteni Barnes, Charlotte Vande Vyvre; Balade Sauvage Productions
Synopsis: Gaspard is still very much in love with Leïla. They meet in a crowded bar a month after she left him. The conversation turns awry and, as he feels tears welling up, Gaspard seeks refuge under the tablecloth, away from prying eyes and closer to his memories.
Qualifying win: Best Short Film at Kaboom Animation Festival (Netherlands)
Shadows
Countries: France, Jordan
Directed by: Rand Beiruty
Produced by: Idris Lettifi, Jude Kawwa, Moussa Lettifi; Shaghab Films, Piano Sano Films
Synopsis: The true story of Ahlam, a teenage mother who fled Iraq, impelled by a desire for freedom. The narrator shares her memories on a metaphorical journey in an airport, where dreams and ghosts of the past intertwine.
Qualifying wins: Grand Prize (World Animation Competition) at Leeds International Film Festival (U.K.); Grand Prize at Regard – Saguenay International Short Film Festival (Canada)
The Shyness of Trees
Country: France
Directed by: Sofiia Chuikovska, Loïck du Plessis D’Argentré, Lina Han, Simin He, Jiaxin Huang, Maud Le Bras & Bingqing Shu
Produced by: Gobelins, l’école de l’image
Synopsis: When Helene visits her aging mother in the countryside, she discovers that the older woman seems to have formed a strange bond with plants, insects and the old oak tree at the end of her garden.
Qualifying win: Bronze Medal – Animation Student Academy Award
Sisowath Quay
Country: France
Directed by: Stéphanie Lansaque, François Leroy
Produced by: Gladys De Micheli, Stéphanie Lansaque, François Leroy; Bobine B
Synopsis: Nakry and Sothear meet on Sisowath Quay for their first date. However, at nightfall, the romance turns into a nightmare when the young girl transforms into a strange creature.
Qualifying win: Børge Ring Award (Animation Competition) at Odense International Film Festival (Denmark)
Skroll
Country: Netherlands
Directed by: Marten Visser
Produced by: Michiel Snijders, Arnoud Rijken; il Luster Films
Synopsis: Humans and some kind of gnomes have posted videos on social media platforms in their animated dimension. This film is a short compilation of these clips. An animated random flow of social media content that really “will surprise you” and is worth “watching till the end.” But No. 3 will not shock you.
Qualifying win: Best Dutch Short Film at Kaboom Animation Festival (Netherlands)
Snow Bear
Country: U.S.
Directed by: Aaron Blaise
Produced by: Nicholas Burch
Synopsis: A lonely polar bear creates an imaginary companion out of snow after he can’t find his friend in his harsh, fast-changing arctic habitat.
Qualified by exhibition.
Solstice
Country: Scotland
Directed by: Luke Angus
Produced by: Luke Angus
Synopsis: A lonely Inuit must endure the endless summer daylight to be reunited with his lost love.
Qualifying win: Best Short Animation at Short Shorts Film Festival (Japan)
