It’s time to dive back into the fun of Cardiff Animation Festival and talk about the next bunch of films from Shorts 1 and Shorts 8. I had the opportunity to meet and speak to many of the filmmakers and enjoyed learning about their creative processes and what influenced their decision-making when making the films.
Attending CAF is always exciting because there’s always something going on. From screenings to workshops to exhibitions, there is something for everyone to enjoy and learn from.
Here’s a roundup of Cardiff Animation Festival Part II:
Shorts 1: Play
These films find the extraordinary in everyday life, showcasing the strength of imagination in storytelling. Some provide classic tales with a twist, while others find joy in the simple things.
Wuthering Hearts by Laura Jayne Hodkin was a hilarious retelling of Wuthering Heights through an emo lens and nostalgic references, particularly the aesthetic and work of My Chemical Romance.
The first film shown in this selection, Huayi Yu’s Family Dinner, is about imagination and finding fun in observations. Yu plays with shapes and proportions which goes along brilliantly with the young boy’s observations. For example, we watch him recount his achievement riding his bike up a huge hill which turns out was just a little bump. Playing with perspectives this way means you never know what to expect, even when faced with the seemingly mundane tasks.
Loch Ness 1303 by Joshua Chawner is an epic of Lego proportions. This stop-motion is a masterclass in utilising Lego animation in a way that plays on scale. We are immediately immersed in the eponymous year as Chawner’s mythical retelling blends classic Hollywood tropes (insert Wilhelm scream here) and contemporary humour.
Small Pics highlights:
- Family Dinner directed by Huayi Yu (USA)
- Loch Ness 1303 directed by Joshua Chawner (UK)
Shorts 8: Welsh Works
As the name of this selection suggests, these films are a celebration of Welsh identity and culture. Some films did this by incorporating Cymraeg (Welsh language) fully or partially into their pieces, while others took inspiration from folklore, culture, and current issues.
Paper Trees by Paddy Merrigan draws inspiration from the Welsh tradition of storytelling. Creating his own new folktale, Paper Trees is a fable about taking from the land to make art and the consequences for doing so. Merrigan’s choice to tell this story through silhouette animation brings a timeless quality reminiscent of Lotte Reiniger, while the environmental issues discussed cement the film in the present day.
The standouts for me where Tommy Howlett’s All Hail the Duck King, a chaotic glimpse into searching for artistic greatness and finding joy in what you create as you establish your artistic identity. Crayon style colour palette and abstract line-work combines with non-stop music and movement resulting in a film that has fun with the medium.
Another highlight was Eleri Edwards’ Crybaby, a symbolic tale about a young woman diagnosed with autism as an adult. She reflects on her life as a child and teen and struggles that come with not understanding why certain events happen. The use of space and shadow is beautifully done to encapsulate the overwhelming emotions the protagonist is faced with as she grapples with her diagnosis.
Small Pics highlights:
- All Hail the Duck King directed by Tommy Howlett (Wales)
- Crybaby directed by Eleri Edwards (Wales)
What I have noticed about films across all categories is that a good chunk of them delve into what it means to be an artist and finding your identity through your craft.
Others explore the struggles of being a working artist in an increasingly detached and problematic world, using animation as a means to provide hope and optimism.
Cardiff Animation Festival has been an amazing platform for aspiring and professional filmmakers alike and it’s been great having the opportunity to watch all these films.