Shorts Animation Competition 1

PÖFF30 | Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival | 6-22 NOV 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