The London International Animation Festival’s International Competition Programme: Into the Dark
Still from ‘Fia’ Dir: Luciana Martinez 5’45
Doors: 6.30pm
Welcome to our annual deep-dive into the dark heart of animation. Here you will find several films featuring hideous humanoid insects, a mutant praying mantis seducing and preying on innocent men, a strange animal in the middle of a desolate forest searching for something to nourish with its tears and death everywhere.
Step in, take a seat, turn out the light and get ready for our annual showcase of all manner of dark, creepy, strange, violent and spooky films.
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.
Several filmmakers will be in attendance to introduce their films at the start of the screening.
Total running time: approx 87 mins
Films:
Overture
A humanoid insect’s presence continuously alters and transforms the surrounding world of a Bratislava housing estate.
Czech Republic 2025 Dir: Jakub Hronský 7’05
Praying Mantis
A mysterious woman prowls the city at night, drawing men into her web as she explores the dark depths of maternal instincts.
Taiwan 2025 Dir: Joe Hsieh 18’05
Dark Globe
Human beings have become war machines, unstoppable destroyers of everything that surrounds them. Is there still hope for the future or are we stuck in an endless nightmare?
Italy, France 2024 Dir: Donato Sansone 3’20
The Devil Room
In the confines of a single room, a child living with his grandparents is drawn to confront the mystery of death as unsettling occurrences escalate during his grandfather's final moments.
Colombia 2025 Dir: Duban Pinzón 12’00
Fia
A strange animal survives a fire and walks through a burned forest, desperately searching for its home. Its nest is in ashes. In the midst of its pain, it discovers moisture in its tears and embarks on a sensory search for something alive to feed on.
Argentina 2024 Dir: Luciana Martinez 5’45
Facuk
In a God-fearing village, giving birth to a "fačuk", an illegitimate child, is a mortal sin. In this harsh, rural environment, fear grows inside the young pregnant woman who is about to give birth at any moment.
Croatia, Slovenia 2025 Dir: Maida Srabovic 12’50
Underground Invaders
Three young adults, obsessed with the horrors of the modern world, find themselves trapped in the depths of a sprawling underground subway that progressively transforms into a giant, nightmarish organic mass eager to assimilate them.
France 2024 Dir: Shera Courtalhac, Ines Molinier, Victor Lesaffre, Maëlle Metaireau, Dana Guyot, Ines Dolivet, Meggie Bernier 8’30
The Exploding Girl
For the past three months, Candice has been exploding every day. Sometimes even 2 or 3 times a day. Her record is 7 times.
France 2024 Dir: Caroline Poggi, Jonathan Vinel 19’00
Still from ‘Praying Mantis’ Dir: Joe Hsieh 18’05
The London International Animation Festival (LIAF 2025) - the UK’s largest and longest-running animation festival is back with 10 days of amazing screenings, talks, discussions and events from November 28 to December 7. We are delighted that LIAF is once again returning to the Horse Hospital for 4 nights and 9 extra special screenings - with several visiting local and international animators attending to talk and introduce their films.
The full festival programme is available at https://liaf.org.uk/
