05.09 | 17:00
07.09 | 17:00 Q&A
12+
Memory sketches and colouring pages of fantasy come alive in the "New Faces" selection this year, showcasing 16 talented works from ambitious animation beginners. These films explore themes of love and separation, a child's perspective on the world and their unchildish questions, and the harsh realities of war — again and again, damn it. Animation uniquely captures the full spectrum of pain, sadness, nostalgia, and hope in ways words cannot.
Please note that the Ukrainian competition and New Faces are combined into one screening.
The total running time is 75 minutes.
Ukraine | 02:55 | 2024
This animated film is inspired by the author's memories of spending her childhood in the village of Berezivka in the Sumy Region. Reflecting on these memories, the artist acknowledges her inability to control the unfolding events. This theme aligns with Timothy Morton's "dark ecology" concept, which advocates recognising that we cannot always influence the phenomena around us. The work raises non-verbal questions: What is it like to live in a world that doesn't belong to us? How do we accept the idea that some things may not be ours? The film concludes with real photos of the story's setting.
Ukraine | 03:54 | 2023
This story unfolds in the enchanting world of Floralia. Amidst the blossoming of all living things, a special tree produced fruit trees endowed with magical abilities. These trees evolved, took on human characteristics, and learned to live in harmony, sharing their fruits with each other. Their world seemed perfect, until something unexpected happened...
Ukraine | 00:42 | 2023
This work is a tribute to the author's memories of the home she lived in before the outbreak of the full-scale war. Her apartment, along with the entire building, was destroyed by a Russian rocket. She narrowly escaped with her life.
Ukraine | 05:11 | 2024
This collage weaves together personal stories of the residents of a town in the Kyiv region that endured the Russian occupation. Crowded in a basement, strangers share the experience of losing everything they once relied on. But now, they become each other's support.
Ukraine | 04:28 | 2024
In a post-apocalyptic world where the sun and stars have vanished, a stranger carries and protects the last remaining piece of light.
Ukraine | 04:10 | 2023
The video clip for the single by the Ukrainian progressive psychedelic band La Horsa Bianca is a companion to their album Polemosophy. This album delves into the mental states of Ukrainians in their daily lives during the war. The video offers a phantasmagorical and metaphorical depiction of these states, brought to life through its characters and the surreal world that envelops them.
Ukraine | 01:31 | 2024
"Naukova - Derzhprom" is a fiction film depicting the author's longing for her beloved city of Kharkiv during her forced displacement. Through symbols and visual metaphors, the film captures the sense of loss and the journey of rediscovery in new surroundings. Central to the narrative is a pendant adorned with the image of the city centre, a gift from Anastasiia's mother. More than a mere object, it embodies memories of home and family, serving as an anchor that prevents her from becoming lost in time and space.
Ukraine | 02:40 | 2023
This is the story of two lyrical heroes who venture apart, immersing themselves into the captivating whirlwind of independence, freedom, and the essence of living lightly. Yet, they eventually realise their desire to reunite and be together again.
Ukraine | 00:17 | 2024
Student work from the Professional Art College in Dnipro, exploring the themes of improvisation and transformation under the guidance of Mykyta Lyskov.
Ukraine | 00:34 | 2024
Student work from the Professional Art College in Dnipro, exploring the themes of improvisation and transformation under the guidance of Mykyta Lyskov.
Ukraine | 01:04 | 2024
How many magical worlds can be born from children's boundless imagination, surpassing time barriers and defying the laws of nature? This animated work delves into the enchanting realm of children's fantasies, where reality and fiction intertwine seamlessly. Yet, is it essential to differentiate between them, or is it more intriguing to embrace a world where fiction and reality coexist harmoniously?
Ukraine | 01:27 | 2024
This is a story about the inherent power within every person. It's not the fantastical superpowers seen in movies; instead, it's the reservoir of memories, emotions, and all the goodness that eternally resides in our hearts. This inner strength sustains us through challenging times and empowers us to keep moving forward.
Ukraine | 01:40 | 2024
Childhood slips away faster than one can grasp, yet it leaves behind subtle guides should one wish to revisit. Even when it seems the door has closed forever, all it takes is finding the right key.
Ukraine | 02:35 | 2024
"Holding on Together" is based on poems from Artur "David" Dron's book "We Were Here" which is dedicated to his brothers-in-arms Ivan Hembus and Oleksandr "Doc" Koberynko, who bravely defended Ukraine as part of the 125th Brigade of the Territorial Defence Forces.
Ukraine | 01:00 | 2023
"Hutsul Adventure" is a short animated film created using collage technique. It invites viewers on a journey through Western Ukraine, showcasing the majestic Ukrainian Carpathian mountains. The film highlights the Hutsuls, an ethnographic group rich in magical culture portrayed through vibrant geometric patterns and the enchanting melodies of traditional music. The film captures the most beautiful feeling in the world - the profound love of two artists: for their country, its history, adventures, and, most importantly, for each other.