RIGA IFF: KIDS' REEL Animācijas īsfilmas

Philippe Kastner
Wolfie
Vlček
CZ
2025, 13’, no dialogue
Age 4+

One after another, an illustrator creates black-and-white drawings: first, a doe comes alive, then a little hare, and a bear. One day, she draws a wolf cub, who jumps right off the page. Splashing black ink everywhere with his snout, he turns her studio upside down. Yet, despite the apparent mischief, the wolf will partner with the illustrator to create a new world – one that embraces imperfections and stains.

This is a moving story about a friendship between an artist and her creations that allows for mistakes and imperfections. With this work, where black-and-white drawings contrast with bright watercolors, Czech author Kastner encourages viewers to see others just as they are. Kastner’s works have been screened at numerous festivals, including Annecy, Berlin, and Zlín, and his short film, Dede is Dead (2023), was also included in the RIGA IFF a couple of years ago.

Eva Matejovičová
Writing Home
O lýkožroutce
CZ
2024, 12’, no dialogue
Age 4+

 

Even the smallest of creatures can have the biggest heart and greatest determination! The little bark beetle lives in an idyllic forest with her family and friendly colony. After a disastrous fire caused by the recklessness of humans, she loses her home. Wounded and torn from her loved ones, she finds herself stranded in the city and decides to write – to express how deeply she longs for her family and her home.

 

In her diploma work for the Film and TV School of Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (FAMU), Slovak director Matejovičová shows that even tiny creatures can accomplish great deeds and go on grand adventures. She allows us to step into their shoes, placing nature and life at the center of the film. This beautiful story of perseverance and standing up to bigger forces is brought to life with hand-drawn animation.

Arnaud Demuynck, Morgane Simon
The Carp and the Child
La Carpe et l'Enfant
BE, FR
2024, 7’, no dialogue
Age 4+

 

On a sunlit afternoon, a boy heads to the pond. He is hoping for some quiet time alone fishing for carp, but is joined by a puppy, ready to befriend anyone in his path. Even in the most peaceful moments, the pup can't resist having a chat with the local frog and duck! When the puppy gets up to a bit of mischief, the boy is surprised by the outcome of his fishing adventure...

 

Belgian animation director Demuynck is known to RIGA IFF viewers for his stunning animation, Yuku and the Flower of the Himalayas (2022) and several other screen adventures. Morgane Simon is a César Award-nominated director, one of the most gifted rising European directors and screenwriters of his generation. Together, the two have created an adventure for all ages about how accepting failure can lead to new chapters and friendships in life.

Annechien Strouven
The Night Tunnel
Le tunnel de la nuit
BE
2024, 8’, no dialogue
Age 4+

 

On an unusually warm and pleasant day by the sea, vacationers are lazing on wet towels. A boy can’t find a beach tennis partner, and even his puppy fails to cheer him up. So he decides to dig a tunnel in the sand to another continent, never imagining it could actually be possible. As it turns out, he's not the only one with such a plan…

 

From a coastal climate to the North Pole – this unbelievable journey with a unique colour palette of fruity oranges and watermelon-rind greens is brought to us by Belgian director Strouven. Each of us has, as a child, wondered what it would be like to dig straight through the Earth to Japan, but in this two-dimensional animation, fantasy turns into a world-spanning adventure that happily leads its heroes back home.

Rosario Carlino, Nicolás Conte
Steps to Fly
Pasos para volar
AR, FR
2025, 9’, no dialogue
Age 4+

What is there outside the walls of the house? Full of curiosity about the world beyond, the little bird wants to learn to fly, but he doesn't have wings. The larger bird is ready to teach him, but a mysterious briefcase suddenly appears. Could it show the little bird his path and help him on his journey?
 
The Argentine filmmaking duo Carlino and Conte weave gentle surrealism into their stop-motion animated short film to tell a story of perseverance and the light of curiosity. Using innovative, eco-friendly filmmaking with natural materials like wood, sticks and bricks, they have created characters with warm and familiar features. The film is a kind of René Magritte for the smallest in the audience – for those who love heroes who never give up and long to explore what's beyond the horizon.

Marika Herz
Once Upon a Time In Dragonville
Il était une fois à Dragonville
FR, CH
2024, 9’, no dialogue
Age 4+

The young Samson doesn’t feel accepted in his native Dragonville. Bullied and mocked by his peers, he decides to leave for Humanville. In this new world, he meets a boy named Simon who is willing to listen and helps him overcome his hardships. Samson gains a friend whose healing companionship stands strong through everything.

The screen sparkles with colours, shapes nurtured by fantasy and universal emotions. Belarusian-born director Herz delivers a heartfelt tribute to anyone who feels unaccepted. The author, currently based in France, uses a paper cutout technique similar to that of the method's pioneers, like Terry Gilliam and Monty Python.

Ignas Meilūnas
Hoofs on Skates
Kanopos ir pačiūžos
LT
2024, 13’, no dialogue
Age 4+

You've never seen pirouettes like these! Even at championships, you won't see tandem skating this good! Friends Piglet and Cow are skating enthusiasts so skilled they could pass for pros. But everything changes when their beloved ice-covered lake cracks open to reveal a surprise. Will they really have to trade the ice for a meadow?

In the snowy Wonderland of puppet animation, every creature leads a rich life and even has hobbies. Lithuanian director Meilūnas, acclaimed in festival circles, captivates, amuses, and entertains. Admirers of the Animation Brigade tradition and all who believe in the power of teamwork will appreciate the curious characters and adventures. The director’s short film, Matilda and the Spare Head (2019), was also screened at RIGA IFF.