Shorts Animation Competition 5

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

Screening072218 / Shorts anima võistlusprogramm 5
Q&A duration
Screening duration

Films

Two Ice Creams Please

Local title
Palun kaks jäätist
Country
Year
2026
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2026
Programme
Genre
Subject

During their holiday, two young women get lost in a rainforest. After wandering around for days, their irritation with one another grows. While dreams about ice cream increasingly creep into their reality, they become conscious of their own vulnerability.

Runtime
Language

The End

Local title
Lõpp
Original title
The End
Year
2025

A darkly humorus tale of death and existence set in a large, international airport.

Runtime
Subtitles

Of Pigeons and Dogs

Local title
Tuvidest ja koertest
Original title
Von Tauben und Hunden
Director
Malte Stein
Year
2025

A young man drifts further into an existential despair. Surrendering to loneliness and overwhelmed by financial hardship, he drifts through life in a daze until he is driven to commit a senseless crime.

Director
Malte Stein
Screenwriter
Malte Stein
Producer
Malte Stein, Vanja Andrijevic
Co-producer
Vanja Andrijevic
Cast
Malte Stein
Editing
Malte Stein, Iva Kraljevic
Editing
Malte Stein, Iva Kraljevic
Composer
Malte Stein, Michal Krajczok
Music
Malte Stein
Sound
Malte Stein, Michal Krajczok
Animation
Malte Stein
Runtime
Language
Subtitles

More Than Happy

Local title
Rohkem kui õnnelik
Original title
More Than Happy
Director
Wei Keong Tan
Country
Year
2025
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2026
Programme
Subject

In a queer utopia, two couples sit in conversation at a restaurant, waiting for service that will never arrive.

Director
Wei Keong Tan
Screenwriter
Wei Keong Tan
Producer
Wei Keong Tan
Co-producer
Davier Yoon
Editing
Zihan Loo
Production Design
Jia Ying Lim
Composer
Darren Ng
Sound
Darren Ng
Runtime
Language
Subtitles

The Truth Rejects You, Cornelius

Local title
Tõde pole sinuga, Cornelius
Original title
La veritat et rebutja, Cornelius
Director
Khris Cembe, Marc Torices
Country
Year
2026
Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2026
Programme
Genre
Subject

During a shrimp’s therapy session, Cornelius attempts to piece together a move through his fractured psyche, seeking refuge in an optimism that proves to be little more than another form of abuse.

Director
Khris Cembe, Marc Torices
Screenwriter
Pau ANGLADA, Brenda MORENO, Marc Torices
Producer
Álex Cervantes, Álvaro García
Co-producer
Ángeles Hernández, David Matamoros, Khris Cembe, Marc Torices
Cinematographer
Isabel de la Torre, Khris Cembe, Marc Torices
Editing
Ana VÁZQUEZ RULL
Sound
Miriam LISÓN, Kevin HORTIGÜELA
Runtime
Language
Subtitles