With this edition of Figures in Focus, the title ‘Skin Shows’ is a nod to Jack Halberstam’s excellent book of the same name; a work that explores gothic horror, monstrousness, corporeality, otherness, and its representation in contemporary film. In this programme the female body is viewed as grotesque, abject, and perverse. These films show that getting under the skin of this conceit can be empowering rather than horrifying. Come delight at the myriad ways in which these animators lay bare sexuality, queerness and the body on screen. Figures in Focus was devised in 2017 in recognition of the under-representation of female and non-binary animators and their stories within the independent animation sector. The programme spotlights some of the incredible work crafted by contemporary animators, both in the UK and internationally. Content warning: Nudity, graphic sexual imagery, sexual assault, violence, blood, death, animal cruelty, vomiting, eating disorders, anxiety, needles, flashing imagery. Recommended age 15

A woman living in a world of strict conformity is given an orange. She has never seen an orange. Through her sensual exploration of the fruit she unlocks a luscious realm of orgasmic juice and copulating slugs. But will she follow her desires, or will convention win?

The Eating of an Orange

Questioning why she “has to” shave her hairy legs launches one 13-year-old girl on a journey of self-discovery.

Hairy Legs

Even painful events from the past eventually become memories with time. But still, we vomit again — and eat again. Life is ecological.

Summer's Puke is Winter's Delight

An animation of the female nude, embodying all of her forms throughout the history of art. Her body twists and gnarls itself into these static poses, but she cannot be contained. In perpetual motion, she is released from her form and allowed to finally stare back at us.

Glazing

Mimi is a darkly arch character for our generation who invites us into the topsy-turvy world of end-game capitalism; a 21st century fairy-tale about consumerist desire.

upside mimi ᴉɯᴉɯ uʍop

Figures in Focus: Skin Shows

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The London International Animation Festival proudly showcases the whole spectrum of animation, showing that animation is for everyone. LIAF 2025 is our 22nd edition.

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