The Lazy Hipster’s Guide To Animated Films
I consider myself a connoisseur of more obscure cinema, a hipster douchebag with an IMDB list made up of Thai horror, Nigerian soaps, American 70’s exploitation, all the way to that film with John Saxon where he’s trapped on a planet ruled by angry women (suck it up, Saxon.)
But my nerd-dom takes a hard break when it comes to animation. Unless you count “The Simpsons”, “Futurama”, and the 800 times me and my brother watched “Fritz The Cat” on VHS after our parents specifically told us not to as children, my knowledge of animation is pitiful and rubbish.
Written by Jess Sweetman
So where does a girl start?
I reached out to a bunch of people who know more than me, via the magic of Festival Formula, plus online and offline friends, and pulled together a starter’s playlist of all of the obscure animation that people who actually know what they’re talking about. Read, watch, and bore people at parties with how amazingly cool you are.
Let’s go!
Recommended by: Festival Formula’s in-house animation expert, our Creative Director Natalia Willkoszewska…
“le criminel” 1993 by gianluigi toccafondo
This hand-painted short won several awards, presenting the innovative technique of frame-by-frame painting combined with montage of photographic stills. You might recognise Toccafondo’s hand painted style from the sting for “Scott Free” productions, Ridley Scott’s production company.
“street of crocodiles” (1996) by the brothers quay
Isolation and futility are the themes explored in the 1986 British animated short. The dark, puppet animation, based on a short story by Bruno Shultz sees its protagonist, a puppet, exploring the world after his strings are cut.
The work of the Quays has gone on to influence cinematic heavy-hitters such as Terry Gilliam, Christopher Nolan.
tango (1981) by zbigniew rybczyński
The 8-minute avant garde animated film TANGO won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film at the 55th Academy Awards. The Polish film required several hundred thousand exposures on an optical printer and it took sixteen hours a day over seven months to make.
“the polish non-camera chronicles” (1981-1987) julian józef antonisz
Antonisz created animation through a “non-camera technique” applying animation directly on film by painting, drawing scratching and printing.
According to culture.pl - “Antonisz’s animated documentaries gained recognition both in Poland and abroad: Polish Non‑Camera Chronicle No. 6 received the Grand Prix and the FIPRESCI Award at the 30th International Short Film Festival in Oberhausen in 1984. The artist made a total of 12 chronicles, he died in 1987 while working on the 13th episode.”
“dots” (1940) norman mclaren
Animator Norman McClaren would animate directly onto celluloid, using film as his canvas for drawing and painting. A celebration of the 80th anniversary of the film on Far Out.com shares: “Just like the abstract expressionist Jackson Pollock, McLaren uses his canvas as a playground, remarkably even the great Pablo Picasso exclaimed of Mclaren’s work: “At last something new.””
Recommended by: Eric Scheur, an animator living in Portland, OR, who responded to my request on the Animators subreddit. THANKS ERIC!
"harvie krumpet" (2003) by adam elliot
According to IMDB, This little Australian claymation production was an unlikely winner for best animated short at the Oscar ceremony for 2003. Voiced by Geoffrey Rush, the life story of Harvie, a Polish man with Tourettes Syndrome who flees Poland for Australia during WW2, is a beautiful and touching piece.
Eric says: “A wonderful stop motion character piece. (Also worth seeking out his previous, shorter films, Cousin, Brother, and Uncle. They're like spiritual precursors to Harvie.
Elliot’s follow up feature “Mary and Max” also comes highly recommended.
"thought of you" (2010) by ryan woodward
This hand-drawn animation shows off how magical animation can be as dancers grow tentacles mid-air, and fly against gravity, all within the beauty of one dance.
Eric says: “You could technically call this one a music video for The Weepies' song "World Spins Madly On," Woodward's art, and the way he worked with choreographers to create this stunning piece... makes it a short film of incredible power.”
I really recommend following up with this “making of” documentary talking to the filmmaker about how the process behind the work - you can see what a labour of love it was.
Recommended by Steve Henderson, Director and CEO of Manchester Animation Festival
“una furtiva lagrima” (2011) by carlo vogele
Steve writes: A masterclass of economy whilst maintaining a wit and sophistication that many films 10 times longer fail to manage.
Armed with a devastating public domain recording and a bag full of fish from the local supermarket, Vogele manages to take the audience on an unexpected journey loaded with pathos. At around three minutes this film gives the audience exactly what is needed and leaves them wanting more.
“funan” by denis do
Steve says: With Guillermo Del Toro rightly barking ‘ANIMATION IS FILM” it seems the great directors words have been heeded and audiences get to enjoy greater exposure to works that might not have been on their radar in times past.
When Flee made it to the Academy Award nominations against a slew of Disney productions it seemed like an awakening of the mainstream. Funan is a film that narrowly missed out on that acclaim being released in 2018.
The story of a family caught up in the rise of the Khmer Rouge it is a bold and mature undertaking that places the audience in a time and a space in a way that only animation can, bestowing empathy to the viewer and engaging them thoroughly.
There are moments in Funan that genuinely took my breath away. If this was released today, a mere 6 years later, I’m confident it would have been done so to much higher acclaim.
Recommended by Chris Aitken from Shortcom - the Comedy Film and Animation Festival
“isaac and quincy: lactose intolerant” by tea&cheese
Chris says: When I started Short Com, one of the first people to submit were this comedy animating duo going by the name Tea&Cheese using 8 bit animation style with super childish humour.
They then spent a year creating this epic action adventure for two of their characters Isaac and Quincy, which incredibly didn't spark a diplomatic crisis with our French neighbours.
“fear of flying” by conor finnegan
Chris says: This film still looks incredible despite being made over ten years ago. It's super cute, charming and funny. Okay, it certainly did pretty well when it came out but it's worth bringing it to the attention of newer filmmakers and animators who might have not heard of it.
“noggin” by case jernigan
Chris says: This film blew me away at Salute Your Shorts for its beauty, spirit and positivity in the face of adversity.
kubo and the two strings (2016) by travis knight
Chris says: A touching, original, beautiful and soulful coming of age film. It's only underrated in that it's not as recognised as being one of the all time great animation features as I think it should be.
mars express (2023) by jérémie périn
Chris says: I had the pleasure of giving this film its Scottish premiere with SI-FAN earlier this year.
A futuristic detective noir that arguably gives a nod to two Sci-Fi classics in “Akira” and “Blade Runner.” Full of layers, ideas and current relevant themes around the role A.I. has on humanity. Also surprisingly funny. It's perhaps flown under the radar with it's original language being in French.
Recommended by Brighton-based artist Peeky Free
“big bang big boom” (2010) by Blu
The animation “Big Bang Big Boom” is animated on the sides of buildings and pavements, and encompasses cityscapes, dinosaurs, the evolution of man, and the end of the world.
According to the Youtube comments, this animation was an internet staple when first released 14 years ago, and you can see why.
And finally…
“coming out” (2020) cressa maeve Áine
This stop-motion short is a story of pride and acceptance told through Godzilla characters. It won the audience prize at the 2020 Final Girls Berlin Film Festival, and you can see why - it’s cheeky story of love and acceptance between a parent and child Godzilla makes me cry on good and bad days.
Reflecting on the principles of perspective with Nani Sahra Walker
Exploring the boundaries of documentary filmmaking with Riccardo Servini & Ben Proudfoot
