The idea of the International Animation Day (IAD) was born at the beginning of the 21st century to commemorate the first public screening of Émile Reynaud’s Théâtre Optique, which took place on October 28, 1892, at the Grevin Museum in Paris. This event is widely regarded as the symbolic beginning of modern animation history. Since 2002, IAD has been a flagship celebration organized worldwide by the International Animated Film Association (ASIFA) - which celebrates its 65th anniversary this year - in cooperation with numerous organizations and festivals.
The selection of films for this year’s screening was curated by Piotr Kardas, founder of, among others, the O!PLA Festival.
(India 2024, 05:00), Dir. Akshit Kumar, National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad
An experimental animated travel reportage in which the author shares his experiences from journeys through various Indian cities. India, known for its rich cultural diversity, offers a vast array of impressions expressed here through multiple animation techniques. A deeply personal film that captures not only what the creator saw, but also how he felt - happiness, loneliness, fulfillment, and belonging.
Winner of the Bronze Student Academy Award 2024 and several other prizes.
(USA 2023, 06:19), Dir. Chenxi Zhang, California Institute of the Arts
Mom always braided my hair so tightly. One day, she cut it off. Every now and then I feel a soft but deep tug. A delicate meditation on the unbreakable bond between mother and daughter, and on the path of womanhood we are never truly prepared for.
Winner of several international awards.
(Iran 2024, 06:01), Dir. Zahra Azadpour, PROFESSIONAL
Dark Orange offers a different perspective on violence against women. Rather than showing visible bruises and wounds, it portrays the emotional decay within a seemingly peaceful relationship. The woman strives to save a one-sided relationship, while her partner - who sees himself as a feminist -treats her as an object. He condemns physical violence in public, yet perpetuates emotional abuse at home. A chilling commentary on hypocrisy and hidden forms of oppression.
Winner of multiple international awards.
(India 2025, 07:03), Dir. Suresh Eriyat, PROFESSIONAL
This film explores the profound connection between Deccani wool, the land, and its people, emphasizing its cultural, spiritual, and ecological importance. Through the story of Balu Mama and his revered herd, it contrasts India’s rich pastoral heritage with the modern neglect of its native wool industry. A poetic call to rediscover and cherish ancestral wisdom.
Winner of several international awards.
(Taiwan 2024, 07:48), Dir. Wan-Qi Peng, National Dong Hwa University
Art is a reflection of our inner selves. Can revisiting our past works open a deeper path toward self-understanding and resolving long-buried conflicts?
Winner of multiple international awards.
(Iran 2024, 04:00), Dir. Soheila Madadi, University of Tehran
A hungry fish searches for food in its aquarium, but its small world is suddenly disrupted when it encounters something entirely unexpected...
(Spain 2024, 04:30), Dir. Akshita Tyagi, Leyla Belarbi, Lia Macruz, BAU University of Arts and Design, Barcelona
A tender story of a girl named Lizzie who spends an afternoon playing with a lizard she finds in her garden. When tragedy strikes, she buries the small creature with care - a poetic reflection on empathy and the fleeting nature of life.
(Netherlands/Taiwan 2024, 06:00), Dir. Eddy Wu, St. Joost School of Art & Design
An animated documentary exploring the fluidity and complexity of gender identity through the lens of body image. The film follows the journey of a transgender gay man as he navigates self-acceptance and challenges social norms. A powerful and intimate portrayal of resilience, transformation, and authenticity.
Winner of several international awards.
(USA 2025, 03:35), Dir. Yusi Tao, Savannah College of Art and Design
A plump little fellow named Potato roams seaside cliffs, discovers mushrooms, and can’t resist their delicious taste. As he gathers more and more, a hungry fish follows the drifting spores… A whimsical fable about desire, nature, and the food chain.
(USA/Austria 2024, 07:03), Dir. Corrie Francis Parks, Daniel Nuderscher, PROFESSIONAL
A 40-year-old graffiti wall becomes an archaeological site, revealing decades of artistic and political expression through layers of paint. Stop-motion animation and sound design merge into an explosive meditation on art, memory, and social change.
Winner of multiple international awards.
(USA 2025, 05:40), Dir. A.B. Osborne, Emily McBrayer Hogue, PROFESSIONAL
A birdlike girl named Lacuna finds herself on a mysterious train whose passengers wear masks. As she uncovers the unique faces beneath them, she attracts the attention of the authoritarian Conductor...
(Taiwan 2025, 06:00), Dir. Tzu-Yun Huang, Chaoyang University of Technology
Exploring Taiwan’s ancient bone-gathering ritual, this story follows a young man who performs the ceremony for his late grandfather. Through fragments of memory, he recalls their deep bond. A moving meditation on family, loss, and the sacred act of remembrance.
Winner of several international awards.
(USA 2024, 12:36), Dir. Tianyun Lyu, University of Southern California
A hunter living in a remote mountain village believes his son is too weak for the harshness of nature. When the boy tries to save a wolf pup, fear drives him to hurt it—but guilt leads him back into a snowstorm to make amends. A powerful tale of compassion, courage, and reconciliation between man and nature.
Winner of the 2025 ASIFA Student Award and several other prizes.
