Shorts Animation Competition 4

Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2026

The short animated world and the films in the program unsurprisingly (capably and eloquently) reflect contemporary worries about our common life – on Earth and beyond. They imagine cases where our dear environment has become hotter or less secure – and people still need to have the best of it, employing a mockumentary-like, deadpan humor. They move into outer space (in flying colors) to celebrate individual happiness and the joy of being different, then come back to Earth (first stops: the Balkans and Belgium) to lighten family affairs (daddy and mommy issues, anyone?). Our common societal troubles aren't left out: hand-drawn animated protests, puppet immigrants, Venetian architecture, a terribly busy Asian metro, a too-toxic (and hilarious) animal friendship, and a New Year's Eve cut-out, meditative Polish encounter. A certain need to connect runs through all programmes – sometimes expressed experimentally, or even in singing form. Stay visually tuned. - Vassilis Kroustallis

Screenings

Hall 2 Kino Artis
Screening062220 / Shorts anima võistlusprogramm 4
Q&A duration
Screening duration

Films

Strangers With Hats

Local title
Kübaratega võõrad
Original title
Strangers With Hats
Director
Petra Stipetić, Karolin Twiddy
Country
Year
2026
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2026
Programme
Genre
Subject

Noe, a fungal spore, embarks on a magical journey of self-discovery, guided by helpful mushrooms. Along the way, they confront self-doubt, discover inner strength, and learn the transformative power of a supportive network.

Director
Petra Stipetić, Karolin Twiddy
Producer
Petra Stipetić, Karolin Twiddy
Cast
Kendra Woods, Jon Frickey, Deanna Johnston, Annalise Ye, Lua Mercedes Benzler
Runtime
Language

Adgwa-Ata

Local title
Adgwa Ata
Director
Zsuzsanna Kreif
Country
Year
2025
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2026
Programme
Genre
Subject

Abducted into a jungle tribe’s brutal initiation, three adolescent girls enter a divine dimension—where taming their soul animals, giant snakes become the only path to adulthood.

Director
Zsuzsanna Kreif
Screenwriter
Zsuzsanna Kreif
Producer
Boddah, Avec ou sans Vous, Valentin Maupin, Aristote Douroudakis, Péter Benjámin Lukács, Gábor Osváth
Co-producer
Valentin Maupin, Aristote Douroudakis
Cast
Abigél Szőke, NÓRA PARTI, Borbála Zétényi
Cinematographer
Zsuzsanna Kreif
Editing
Judit CZAKÓ
Sound
Péter Benjámin Lukács
Runtime
Language

The Comet

Local title
Komeet
Original title
La comète
Director
Julie Charette
Country
Year
2026
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2026
Programme
Genre
Subject

Émile, 8 years old, is enjoying the last warm evenings of summer with his sister Françoise. As they scan the sky for shooting stars, their contemplation is interrupted by an act of unspeakable cruelty.

Director
Julie Charette
Screenwriter
Julie Charette
Producer
Nicolas Dufour-Laperrière, Raquel Sancinetti
Co-producer
Raquel Sancinetti
Cast
Laurent Lemaire, Camille Rivard
Editing
Alexandre Leblanc
Editing
Alexandre Leblanc
Production Design
Julie Charette
Composer
Simon Trottier
Sound
Samuel Gagnon-Thibodeau
Runtime
Language
Subtitles

Cosmonauts

Local title
Kosmonaudid
Director
Leo Cernic, Leo Černic
Country
Year
2025
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2026
Programme
Genre
Subject

On an intergalactic cruise for singles, lonely souls chase a kiss, a caress, or just a glimpse of love among the stars.

Director
Leo Cernic, Leo Černic
Screenwriter
Leo Černic
Producer
Finta Film, Staragara I.T, RTV Slovenija, Tina Smrekar
Co-producer
Jožko Rutar, David Cej
Cast
Leo Černic
Cinematographer
Leo Černic
Editing
Iva Kraljević
Sound
Samo JURCA
Runtime
Language

Give Me Your Hand

Local title
Anna mulle käsi
Original title
Dă-mi mâna
Director
Paul Mureșan
Country
Year
2025
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2026
Programme
Genre
Subject

An act of familiar tenderness turns into one of brutality under the influence of alcohol in the film, the story of a 9-year-old child who becomes his father's prisoner. This is a story of how, despite our efforts, we resemble our early caregivers more and more each day.

Director
Paul Mureșan
Screenwriter
Paul Mureșan
Producer
Mihai Mitrică
Editing
Paul Mureșan
Composer
Silent Strike
Sound
Sebastian Damian
Runtime
Language
Subtitles

Virgin Fandango

Local title
Neitsi Fandango
Original title
Virgin Fandango
Director
Marcy Page
Year
2026
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2026
Programme
Subject

A short musical, using a novel technique of animated azulejos (painted tiles), that features a rebellious Mary joining her voice to celebrated women of history in the struggle for equality.

Director
Marcy Page
Runtime
Language