LIAF 2026: International Competition Programme 7: Animated Documentaries (18)

Persuasive, illustrative and able to get over abstract details in attractive and compelling ways, animation is the perfect tool to document someone’s vision of the truth. This past decade has seen a boom in non-fiction films that use animation to tell their stories and LIAF has been one of the vanguards with our annual showcase dedicated to the documentary form dating back to 2008. This year’s programme features 10 of the best true life stories coupled with mind-blowing imagery.

Independent animation remains a dynamic and evolving art form, showcasing a stunning array of styles, materials, and techniques - from hand-drawn and paint-on-glass to collage, sculpture, cut-outs, puppetry, abstract forms, and innovative CGI. This year's LIAF highlights the most diverse and exciting developments within this vibrant medium.

After sorting through a huge pile of 2,300 entries, we’ve curated a selection of 75 outstanding new films from 29 countries. These films range from humorous and dramatic to bizarre, subtle, frightening, and autobiographical. What they all share is our belief that they represent the best of the best. These 8 international competition programmes showcase a variety of techniques, genres, and styles. This is your annual glimpse into the vibrant world of international indie animation.

Several filmmakers will be in attendance to introduce their films at the start of the screening.

Please visit liaf.org.uk for more details

Good Luck to you All

A young girl plays with her toys, unaware that she may be holding humanity’s future in her hands… As the voices of experts swirl around her, the question remains: which is the bigger threat - artificial intelligence or human nature?

Canada 2025 Dir: Cordell Barker 8’15

The Thrift Store Photograph

I bought a photograph in a thrift store in 1982 because it reminded me of a scene in Blade Runner.

USA 2026 Dir: Tom Schroeder 6’15

Noguchi’s New York - Animated Playgrounds

Five short animations reinterpreting Isamu Noguchi’s unrealised children’s sculptural playgrounds from the 1930’s to 1960’s.

UK 2026 Dir: Nicolas Ménard, Jack Cunningham 4’15

Uncle Filmi

A lively family gathering for full-body hair removal is stormed by Islamic revolutionary guards. They are looking for video tapes of banned Hollywood movies.

Germany 2026 Dir: Nazgol Kashani 13’55

This Feminine Side

Femininity, defined and reimagined, through Lisbon’s queer voices and mixed-media art.

Belgium, Finland, Portugal 2025 Dir: Alice Siniscalchi 7’25

It Might Even Be Real

Investigating the mechanisms at the heart of cinema and animation, an Israeli animator seeks to convince her mind to embrace the illusion of hope—just as it embraces the illusion of movement.

Israel 2025 Dir: Yael Bonne 7’10

Christine Sinclair: Kind of a Big Deal

An intimate story about the most prolific goal scorer in international soccer history, and the power of quiet leadership.

Canada 2026 Dir: Eoin Duffy 8’45

The Flames of Me (Je m'appelle Daniel)

Created with fire and soot, this animated short recounts one man’s journey through shadow and light after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder in his thirties.

Canada 2026 Dir: Daniel Léger 10’00

Mr. Why

A short film about logic and time travel starring the most important logician in modern world history, Kurt Gödel, close collaborator of Albert Einstein.

Czech Republic 2026 Dir: Jan Cechl 6’20

Nonna Lucia

My grandmother Lucia died and left behind many objects. Many, many objects.

Switzerland 2026 Dir: Marcel Barelli 7’00