Two boys question their motives in an episodic coming-of-age story (Easter Eggs), a trapped family on a roadtrip in the desert where tension reaches boiling point (Trona Pinnacles) and the shared trauma filmmakers go through upon finishing their films (Conversations with a Whale) – we are all looking for answers. Some of us are staring at the stars. Three of the diverse, funny, moving and heartfelt stories explored in this fascinating bunch of shorts.

Independent animation is an art form that continues to thrive and develop as a breathtaking medley of styles, materials, techniques and production – from hand-drawn, paint on glass, collage, sculpture, cut-outs, puppets, abstract to some of the more interesting developments in CGI – all of which can be seen at this year’s LIAF.

We’ve emerged from under the pile of 2,400 entries to put together a series of screenings that showcase the best 80 new films from every corner of the world. They can be funny, dramatic, bizarre, subdued, scary or autobiographical. The one thing they have in common is that we think they’re the pick of the crop.

Eight international competition programmes. Every technique, every genre, every style – this is your annual window into the international indie animation universe.

Recommended age 15+