Animation Today
presented by Cartuna
Saturday, April 5, 2:45 p.m. @ 2220 Arts + Archives
A survey of the very best in international, independent animation. Featuring some of the most exceptional directors working today, these films represent distinct, daring artistic visions that both embody and transcend the animation medium. Some are narrative, some are experimental, some are sad, some are funny - after all, animation is not a genre. —Sean Buckelew, guest curator
Margarethe 89
Los Angeles Premiere
Director: Lucas Malbrun
France, 2024, 19 min, ProRes
Leipzig, 1989. Margarethe, a young punk opposed to the East German regime, is detained in a psychiatric hospital. She dreams of breaking out to join the man she loves—a punk musician named Heinrich. Though the regime's days may well be numbered, the Stasi informants are more present than ever.
Cast: Lucas Malbrun, Marie Larrivé
Sans Voix
West Coast Premiere
Director: Samuel Patthey
Switzerland, 2024, 15 min, DCP
The picture of a young raver facing a fundamental change of life.
Distributor: Square Eyes
Producers: Mark Olexa, RTS Radio Télévision Suisse (Isabela Rieben, François Mayor)
Executive Producer: Dunja Keller
Animation: Samuel Patthey
Sound Design & Mix: Thomas Gassmann
Assistant Animator: Julie Ecoffey
Original music: Patrick Becker, Hank LW, Dj Nobu, 3KZ, Sebastian Mullaert, Voiski, Gëinst, Edit Select, Eduardo de la Calle, Sinner DC
普通の生活 (Futsu no Seikatsu) / Ordinary Life
US Premiere
Director: Yoriko Mizushiri
Japan, France, 2025, 10 min, DCP
Ordinary life repeats itself every day while the succession of moments that we repeat over and over again is never the same.
Language: Japanese, French
Distributor: Miyu
Animation: Yoriko Mizushiri, Scenario
Script: Yoriko Mizushiri
Soundtrack: Kengo Tokusashi
Hurikán
Los Angeles Premiere
Director: Jan Saska
Czech Republic, France, Slovakia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2024, 13 min, DCP
Hurikán rushes out to save his favorite beer stand from closure by fetching a new keg to impress the bartender he has a crush on. In a wild Prague district, he faces robbers, cops, and his own thirst.
Language: Czech
Distributor: Miyu Distribution
Producers: Kamila Dohnalová, Martin Vandas, Alena Vandasová, Antoine Liétout, Ivan Zuber, Juraj Krasnohorský, Mladen Đukić
Mont Noir
US Premiere
Director: Erika Haglund & Jean-Baptiste Peltier
France/ Portugal, 2024, 15 minutes, DCP
In Mont Noir, Marguerite has been experiencing three severe losses : her mother, her dog, then her nanny. She grew up alone, animals and nature as main fellows. She has been setting herself to become a writer.
Language: French with English Subtitles
Distributor: Wasia Distribution
Producers: Claire Beffa, Vanessa Buttin-Labarthe, Nuno Amorim
Cast: Selma Serero, Marie Vialle, Pierre Zeni
Animation: Jean-Baptiste Peltier, Charlie Belin, Clement Ceard, Remy Schaepman, Manuel Sacadura, Hugo Santos, Andre Ferrão
Compositing: Mathieu Brisebras, Grigorios Leontiadis
Special Effects: Maxime Espinosa
Sound, Sound design, Sound editing: Arnaud Rolland
Retirement Plan
West Coast Premiere
Director: John Kelly
Ireland, 2025, 7 minutes, DCP
Logline: At apathy with his life, Ray (Domhnall Gleeson) dreams of the beauty and joy he will find in retirement.
Producers: Julie Murnaghan, Andrew Freedman
Cast: Domhnall Gleeson
Crew: Tara Lawall