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 12 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 2,400 entries, we’ve curated a selection of 77 outstanding new films from 30 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.

There will be a panel of filmmakers taking part in a discussion after the screening.

The panel will be announced shortly.

Please visit https://liaf.org.uk/ for more details

Better Man

The stories of three men who use exercise as a way to cope with inner traumas that have often resulted in low self-esteem.

Czech Republic 2025 Dir: Eliška Jirásková 6’05

I am a Rebel

Veteran British animator and Oscar-winner Bob Godfrey describes how he got started in Animation and the losses of one era ending and the excitement of a new one beginning.

UK 2025 Dir: Martin Pickles 4’55

Azkena

Lorea's reference points are her mother and grandmother. Through these two generations she observes the bond that women have experienced around motherhood. Now it is up to her to decide whether or not to become a mother herself and to look for answers to pending questions.

Spain 2024 Dir: Ane Inés Landeta, Lorea Lyons 9’05

Mealitancy

Through audio recordings taken in the field and poetic moving images, the film portrays activists who use food as a tool in their anti-consumerist struggle.

Belgium 2024 Dir: Marie Royer, Zinia Scorier 12’05

Strokes of Wildflowers

Stroke survivors share their stories about the mental and physical struggles they face and the importance of community within their recovery.

UK 2025 Dir: Livvy Seabrook-Wilkins 3’45

Biting the Hand that Feeds You

The contest is called 'Payday', and Chantal is in a rush because she has a lot to say on the subject. For once, she ticks all the boxes: director, woman... She's ready to start taking notes, drawing... But all too soon, her everyday reality comes rushing back.

Belgium, France 2025 Dir: Chantal Peten 5’55

On Hannah Fields

A patch of land in Derby, UK, is adopted by an ex-NHS Psychiatric Nurse and transformed by a cyclical system of recovery. A poetic portrait of a place, the people who support it and that it supports.

UK 2024 Dir: Lewis Heriz 3’25

Tiny Film about Rape

Harrowing tales of sexual violence told from the survivors point of view.

Czech Republic 2025 Dir: Tereza Nebe Motýlová 9’05

Warp and Weft

A love letter to the act of hand-making, traditional craft practices, and the people who love them. Stemming from the fear of these artforms slipping away in a society that no longer values the human labour behind them.

UK 2025 Dir: Isolda Milenkovic 3’45

The Mustached Clown Circus

In a Latin American country, a child’s notebook recounts a series of horrifying events that happened at the Big Moustache Clowns Circus.

Argentina 2025 Dir: Ana Comes, Tomas Alzogaray Vanella, Paz Bloj 10’40

Polio

Mrs. Jaroslava shares her story of growing up with polio – a disease that stole part of her youth, but gave her friendships that lasted a lifetime.

Czech Republic 2025 Dir: Klára Kubenková 5’05

Winter in March

Helpless in the face of a repressive state, a young couple leaves their home – an escape that turns into a surreal nightmare.

Armenia, Belgium, Estonia, France 2025 Dir: Natalia Mirzoyan 16’20