Shorts New Talents Competition: Animation 1

Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2025
Programme
Shorts New Talents Competition: Animation

As we settle into adulthood, one of the things we must contend with is balancing our desire for independence and freedom with the fact that we need other people, and they need us in turn.

Striking out on one’s own and shrugging off the expectations of family or society is vital for growth. But are we prepared for this independence? What happens when we are needed?

These films provide new perspectives on our warring desires for independence and connection. When do these desires become dangerous? When are they vital for survival?

While the body needs the spine to stay upright, the spine can also cause us pain. Without it we would be painless, yet formless. Language without meaning.

We must learn to rely on ourselves and acknowledge that we still need each other. After all, there are wolves out there; in our minds, in front of the camera, sharing our home, stealing our chocolate. But remember, while codependence can be a safe space, it can also be a fungus that infects our body.

Screenings

4th Lux Hall Apollo Kino Coca-Cola Plaza
Screening050417 / Shorts New Talents võistlusprogramm: anima 1
Q&A duration
Screening duration

Films

World premiere

Can Circle Circles?

Local title
Kas ring saab ringitada?
Original title
Can Circle Circles?
Director
Xuerou Huang
Country
United Kingdom
Year
2025
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2025
Programme
Shorts New Talents Competition: Animation

What if language lost its meaning, but we still kept talking?
Can Circle Circles is a surreal animation that deconstructs the relationship between language and meaning. Inspired by semiotics, absurdism, and divination systems like Tarot, the film uses poetic visuals and unpredictable voiceovers to create a space of uncertainty.

Director
Xuerou Huang
Runtime
Language
English

World premiere

One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six

Local title
Üks, kaks, kolm, neli, viis, kuus
Original title
淼淼
Director
Yingdan Lai
Country
USA, China
Year
2025
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2025
Programme
Shorts New Talents Competition: Animation

In a rule bound boarding school, MiaoMiao receives a box of chocolate balls, a rare treat. As she clings to this small treasure, a mix of curiosity, doubt, and quiet rebellion begins to blur the boundaries between order and desire.

Director
Yingdan Lai
Runtime
Subtitles
English

Baltic premiere

Voyage of the Red Rabbit

Local title
Punase jänese reis
Director
Sam Gualtieri
Country
USA
Year
2024
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2025
Programme
Shorts New Talents Competition: Animation

An anthropomorphic Rabbit-Spaceman searches for his home in the outer bounds of the universe. Meanwhile, an old man on earth eats apple pie and considers what happens in the afterlife.

Director
Sam Gualtieri
Runtime
Language
English
Subtitles
English

Baltic premiere

Ms.Understoned

Local title
Ms Understoned
Original title
Ms.Understoned
Director
Yuki Buma
Country
Japan
Year
2024
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2025
Programme
Shorts New Talents Competition: Animation

By photographing a mirror with clay attached to it from a blind spot, I created a single form using both the reflected world and the clay. In Japanese health education textbooks, women are described as becoming ‘rounded’.

Director
Yuki Buma
Runtime
Subtitles
English

Baltic premiere

Pear Garden

Local title
Pirniaed
Original title
Baghe Golabi
Director
Shadab Shayegan
Country
Germany
Year
2024
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2025
Programme
Shorts New Talents Competition: Animation

Six years old Lily visits her grandmother after grandma had a mastectomy and doesn’t have breasts anymore. At night, Lily finds out that the shadow of grandma has the breasts, Lily follows her and tries to get the breasts back for her grandma.

Director
Shadab Shayegan
Runtime
Language
Persian
Subtitles
English

World premiere

Liquor

Local title
Vedelik
Original title
Liquor
Director
Yi-Chen Huang
Country
Germany
Year
2025
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2025
Programme
Shorts New Talents Competition: Animation

The mother suffers from an illness that threatens to drown her memories and emotions. She pleads with her daughter for help. Using her umbilical cord, she fashions a giant straw, with which the daughter attempts to suck excess water from her mother's head through her eye, hoping to save her. In the process, the daughter herself risks drowning.

Director
Yi-Chen Huang
Runtime
Language
Chinese
Subtitles
English

Estonian premiere

Tiny Film About Rape

Local title
Väike film vägistamisest
Director
Nebe Motýlová
Country
Czechia
Year
2025
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2025
Programme
Shorts New Talents Competition: Animation

The animated documentary follows a girl confronting objectification. Collages from magazines, diary sketches, and imprints on the skin reveal how societal pressure takes hold early. Where does innocence end, and where do remarks begin that can lead to sexual violence? How does this shape her self-perception?

Director
Nebe Motýlová
Runtime
Language
Czech
Subtitles
English

Baltic premiere

I

Local title
Mina
Original title
I
Director
Chih-Chen Hsu
Country
Japan
Year
2025
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2025
Programme
Shorts New Talents Competition: Animation

Küünlaleegid hubisevad. Kust küll leida sel pimedal lõputul unenäomaastikul iseennast?

Director
Chih-Chen Hsu
Runtime
Language
Japanese
Subtitles
English

Baltic premiere

Spine

Local title
Selgroog
Original title
Kičma
Director
Marta Margetić
Country
Croatia
Year
2025
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2025
Programme
Shorts New Talents Competition: Animation

Joonistav tüdruk tunneb järsku seljas teravat valu ja püüab seda venitamisega leevendada. Hoolimata pingutustest ei anna valu järele ja tema frustratsioon aina süveneb. Ta liigutused muutuvad groteskseks ja üha jõulisemaks, keha tõmbub aina enam pingesse. Kui valu ikkagi ei lakka, tabab tüdrukut närvivapustus. Täiesti murtuna istub ta tagasi laua taha.

Director
Marta Margetić
Runtime
Language
no dialogue

Baltic premiere

Walk In

Local title
Hallitus
Original title
곰팡이
Director
Han-eol Park
Country
Republic of Korea
Year
2024
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2025
Programme
Shorts New Talents Competition: Animation

J avastab, et tema lahkunud abikaasa tuha peal kasvab hallitus. Kui hallitus toitu otsima asub, pistab J hallitava toidu vanni ja hakkab midagi looma.

Director
Han-eol Park
Runtime
Language
Korean
Subtitles
English