40 years ago, Royal College of Art launched its animation programme as a new department emerging from illustration, design, and film. Since its founding in 1985, RCA Animation has navigated vast changes in technology, culture, and education, yet one constant remains: a deep commitment to experimentation and innovation. Unlike courses designed to feed industry pipelines, RCA Animation pursues a broader vision – the cultivation of filmmakers, artists, and auteurs. This ethos has produced generations of award winners, studio founders, educators, and cultural changemakers who continue to expand the possibilities of animation with work that is personal, political, and technologically adventurous. This programme has been selected by LIAF from over 1000 films in the RCA’s archive of student work, and was co-curated with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rca.ac.uk/more/staff/carla-mackinnon/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(192, 192, 192); background-color: transparent;">Dr Carla Mackinnon</a>&nbsp;(RCA tutor) and&nbsp;<a href="https://rorywt.com/about" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(192, 192, 192); background-color: transparent;">Rory Waudby-Tolley</a>&nbsp;(RCA Associate Lecturer). The selection speaks to the diversity of the RCA archive, ranging from comedy and drama to documentary and innovative experiments with material and form. It includes early work by key figures in UK animation, and internationally acclaimed short films that have stood the test of time. Recommended age 15

A frenetic, Dada-tinged collage of cut-up animation and sound. Looped drawings, colour photocopier zooms and a layered soundtrack of classical, spoken word, and breakbeats mirror the chaos.

Anyway

The story of a relationship through a journey of rhythm, movement and colour, moving from abstract to human form.

Reel to Reel

A man goes shopping and skilfully adapts to the city.

Mr Jessop

A young boy longs for reassurance about how his mother died. To protect each other, he and his father hold their agony inside, where it festers.

Islamic patterns and American quilts and the colours and geometry of flags as an abstract field of reflection.

Collision

Pingpongs

What if I was somebody else, but only for a couple of seconds?

Fly on the Window

If you repeat the word 'fly' for long enough it sounds like you're saying 'life'. This is of no help to Peter. His answers lie in the brain of a beetle.

The Eagleman Stag

Inherited opinions. Inherited isolation. A depiction of a dad's influence on a young boy's life. His judgmental character mixed with the boy's fondness for his dad prove to be a toxic mix that tears away at a world of opportunity and experiences.

My Dad

A violent and enigmatic social allegory of death, power and revenge where little folks in headgear find themselves in very odd situations.

Small People with Hats

A surreal, visceral depiction of the circular coping process of sexual trauma.

Barbeque

Communication can be difficult when cultural and historical backgrounds are so distant. A Korean grandmother and her German granddaughter try to work it out.

West Question East Answer

An experimental animated documentary that explores the causes of youth violence, and more specifically the impact of knife crime in London through the lens of a mother raising her 8 year old son

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40 Years of RCA Animation

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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.

Here's what's coming up soon. Can't make it? Many live streams will be available for on-demand viewing as well.