Animation Mixtape 1 (15)

Wednesday 11 Nov 2026 - 20:20
HOME - Cinema 2
Runtime: 80 mins (approx.)

The best animated short films from around the globe playing in competition at MAF. Whether you’re an animation aficionado or this is your first experience beyond the mainstream, let MAF welcome you to the world of animation with our selection of international short films playing in competition.

The winner of the festival’s Short Film Award will be eligible for consideration in the Short Films competition of the Academy Awards® without the standard theatrical run, provided the film otherwise complies with the Academy rules. We are thrilled to be the only animation-dedicated festival in the UK to hold this honour, and can't wait for you to enjoy these potential Oscar nominations.

This screening carries the following trigger warnings for content:

War, Death and Dying, Nudity

Trigger warning content categories used are courtesy of the Film and TV Charity's advice: https://bit.ly/3VUsEF4

Films in this programme

When the Sea Was Calm

Dir. Mamuka Tkeshelashvili // Georgia

During the final summer before war devastates Sokhumi, a 13-year-old boy discovers a love he has never known before. Years later, he returns to the ruined city, confronting memories of innocence shattered by conflict.

God Is Shy

Dir. Jocelyn Charles // France

During a train ride, Ariel and Paul pass the time sketching their deepest fears. Their game takes an unexpected turn when Gilda, a mysterious passenger, intrudes on their exchange. Yet, her relationship with fear seems far less innocent than their playful drawings.

Cartoon Physics

Dir. Ru Kuwahata, Max Porter // France, Netherlands, Switzerland

A mother confronts her child’s first encounter with death by retreating into the impossible logic of old cartoons.

2:Love

Dir. Ronni Shalev // Belgium

When two ball girls lock eyes on the court of a prestigious tennis tournament, their initial rivalry slowly transforms into a magnetic passion.

Please

Dir. Anna Mantzaris // Sweden, France, Czechia, Norway, Finland

A dark comedy about humankind’s desire to love and to be loved, with a story centred around neediness, intimacy and romance.

Trading Cards

Dir. Radheya Jang // Australia, United Kingdom

An enigmatic man journeys back in time to find his younger self, seemingly to revisit the nostalgia of trading cards. An exploration of identity, mental health and the erosion of childhood innocence, Trading Cards is a dark fantasy animated film about the weight of living with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.