It’s finally here! The third segment of my CAF 2026 reviews. A lot of these films demanded reflection as there were concurrent themes of change, identity, and acceptance.
Before diving in, I just want to mention that it has been an absolute privilege to be able to review and discuss talented filmmakers from all over the world.
Here is the final group of review write ups:
Shorts 2: Pause
This collection of shorts celebrate the peaceful moments in life. Featuring playful characters and plenty of whimsy, this selection boasted some of the strongest offerings of the weekend.
Sarah Benson’s Boglach is a charming micro-short that follows a small community that creates clouds, which in turn generates rain and helps the land flourish. The design of the people is reminiscent of Ponyo and its environmental discussions did remind me of Studio Ghibli because of this. Benson achieves a fully realised world within a couple of minutes which is an incredible achievement and it is for this reason that this was my highlight from this selection.
I also enjoyed The Sycamore by Jared D. Weiss which is a fable about two friends who seek shade from the titular tree. Based on “The Travellers and the Plane Tree” by Aesop, The Sycamore tells the story from the point of view of the tree and gives metaphorical voice to nature and its frustrations with mankind.
Small Pics highlights:
- Boglach directed by Sarah Benson (Ireland)
- The Sycamore directed by Jared D. Weiss (USA)
Shorts 3: Rewind
As the name suggests, these films are about turning back the clock and reflecting on memories past. Whether that is looking at generational trauma or personal growth, these are shorts that showcases the lessons and tribulations in life.
My personal favourite from this batch was Polliwog which follows a prepubescent girl who is struggling with the sudden changes in her body. During a school trip, she encounters a polliwog and relates to the changes it is going through. The warm colour palette and vivid shapes ensure that the shared experience is perfectly conveyed.
While Polliwog presents change from an individual’s perspective, Memoria Colectiva explores the devastating affects of the Peruvian Armed Conflict in the Ayacucho region of Peru and the toll it took on the community, especially the women. It is one of the longer shorts of the festival and it’s easy to understand why. Film is one of the best mediums to share and educate on major events and the directness of the storytelling and the way documentary elemts are combined with animation gives us a look into a regime that took a lot away from the Ayacucho communities but also showcased the women’s courage and resilience.
Small Pics highlights:
- Polliwog directed by Julia Skala (Germany)
- Memoria Colectiva directed by Cristina Colmenares and Manuel-Antonio Monteagudo (Colombia, France, Peru)
Family Shorts
The last set of shorts I watched was the Family Shorts. As the name suggests, these are films that have been made with younger audiences in mind. Don’t be fooled, however, as these films may be family-friendly, but that doesn’t mean that they shy away from difficult topics. A lot of the films dealt with isolation, identity and finding your place in the world. There was plenty of whimsy and bright colour palettes scored with an undertone of these deeper themes.
My highlight from this bunch was Marion Jamault’s Filante, a predominantly silent film (save for the singing of some sparkly mermaids) that follows a young girl who has lost her pet rat and befriends a bat during her quest to find him. The textures in this film are stunning, especially when Jamault makes use of the sparkling elements and the colour palette is vivid and dreamy, immersing the audience from the first frame.
Another strong offering in this selection was Chloe Herbert’s, Aster. This is a stunning stopmotion that features some of the most intricate puppet design I’ve seen. The film follows an ethereal being that shifts and changes shape, manipulating the space around it. What Herbert achieves is incredible, especially the scenes in which the being becomes a dragon. I was mesmerised and moved by the originality and fearlessness on display.
Small Pics highlights:
- Filante directed by Marion Jamault (France)
- Aster directed by Chloe Hebert (UK)
That concludes my film reviews, but I’ll be posting a final roundup which includes the CAF Award winners, plus my overall personal picks, so stay tuned!
Please go and seek the films out if they pique your interest and remember to celebrate and push independent filmmakers, especially in the animation space!