PÖFF 2016: Best of International Student Animation I

30 years ago, participating in an international festival required having the opportunity to use 35mm film.

The world has changed. Nowadays, making films and also sending them to festivals does not require such exclusive opportunities. Around the world, a huge number of student films are made and sent to festivals.

This year, Animated Dreams has a rich and interesting selection of student films made using various techniques. From A to Z, puppet films, 3D, drawn animation, and 2D TV Paint animations. This year there are a large number of films painted under the camera. And one of the distinct trends is to use (or replicate) classic printing techniques (such as screen printing or linocut).



TOUGH

Canada, United Kingdom 2016, 5’

Dir: Jennifer Zheng

Prod: Jennifer Zheng, Kingston University

Some things can only be understood with maturity. New light is shed on childhood cultural misunderstandings when a chinese mother and her british born daughter speak as adults for the first time.



WHEN THE

United States of America 2016, 3’

Dir: Raffaele Gans Pfister

Prod: Brown University

A dyslexic boy reads a book.



CHILD

Germany 2016, 9’

Dir: Viktor Stickel, Iring Freytag

Prod: Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg

A child has to leave its hut to collect wood for the fire that went out. The search for suitable wood becomes a life’s work.



LIMOEIRO

United Kingdom 2016, 4’6”

Dir: Joana Silva

Prod: Royal College of Art

An animation short about a fictional character assembled from time, memories and space.



WHAT THEY BELIEVE

Germany 2016, 10’

Dir: Shoko Hara

Prod: Michaela Edl, Film Academy Baden-Württemberg

Good news about a device that will turn life into a better one – three treasure hunters follow the cross – a father and a son share the secrets of everlasting joy – on the other hand, a crippled child can only find serenity within his model railway. A miracle healer shall finally bring him salvation.



TOUR

Belgium, Netherlands 2016, 2’

Dir: Jasmijn Cedee

Prod: Jeanmarie Demeyer, Kask Conservatorium

A playful and somewhat abstract handpainted animation with heaps of energy. A dedication to bicycle track-racing. Made in honour of “’t Kuipke” a wooden indoor track in Ghent, Belgium, where the 6 days of racing are held every year since 1922.



AS A LITTLE BIRD

Estonia 2016, 7’

Dir: Yyhely Hälvin

Prod: Eesti Kunstiakadeemia

I have been waiting for you for so long... The story of how to catch the wind.



SCHROEDINGER’S DOG

Poland 2016, 8’

Dir: Natalia Krawczuk

Prod: Lodz Film School

A short story of a man, woman, their dog and their sofa. They spend days napping and live in ostensible boredom together. But everything will change when their pet unexpectedly disappears.



ILLUSIONS

United Kingdom 2016, 5’

Dir: Dominica Harrison

Prod: Edinburgh College of Arts

A film about two characters that meet because of an accident, due to which they find themselves lost, each in their own limbo. To get out, they need to win a simple game with only one rule: the next level is just a step down. The film is inspired by short story "Goat’s Eyes" by Max Frei.



FEARS

Canada 2015, 2’

Dir: Nata Metlukh

Prod: Vancouver Film School

Fears are visible as constant companions of their owners. The creatures can make people’s lives more difficult, but they can also be very useful.



THE GREY HOUND

United Kingdom 2016, 5’

Dir: Josh Saunders

Prod: Royal College of Art

A woman struggles with her grey hound, her partner struggles to understand.



THE WRONG END OF THE STICK

United Kingdom 2016, 10’

Dir: Terri Matthews

Prod: Sam Bank, National Film and Television School

Malcolm fetcher is a neurotic, middle-aged teacher lost in a dull marriage with his wife of twenty years, Beverly. As he faces an all-consuming identity crisis, their marriage disintegrates and he is forced to express a deep, hidden desire...