A cartographer has lost his orientation: did his tools become useless or could it be that the terrain itself is changing? “Karten der Wildnis” is the story of the cartographer interpreted by seven animation artists who venture into the experiment of making a collaborative film. Analogue animation techniques and a poem by Daniela Danz are their starting points to approach the unknown, following the processes that occur when they enter into this adventure.
Strangers ponder our attitudes towards death and dying - reflecting on how a conversation over tea and coffee at a ‘Death Cafe’ might make broaching the subject a little less terrifying.
O Nobly-Born, your breathing is about to cease. Listen with full attention, without being distracted. O Nobly-Born, go forward, you have been in a swoon. The film was inspired by the book titled “Tibetan Book of the Dead” (1927).
Lotte Reiniger meets Sergio Leone in this animated short, where desire burns as bright as the desert sun. A brand-new animated short that premiered in June 2025, successfully touring the festival circuit now.
“2nd Day & the End of the World” It is a 12 minutes handrawn op paper, Hyper-Family-Drama about processes of secession, post-traumatic attacks, tempting body conditions & powerless loneliness in a climate-catastropic universe.
What Stands in the Dark, reimagines Rumi’s “Elephant in the Dark,” portraying a fragmented search for truth. Five unseen figures encounter different parts of an immense being, each interpreting it through their own lens. The film reveals how limited perception breeds illusion, yet invites reverence for the act of seeking itself. What Stands in the Dark is a production of [P]ART Collective.
A brave mouse helps the fallen stars return to the sky.
Setting out to escape insomnia, hunger, and self-doubt. Three seals embarked on a journey about themselves. From ocean to desert, the three seals find nothing. Until they discover Turning Hill. At its peak Piiii receives restful sleep, Giiii finds a plastic bag that conjures food, ending her hunger. But when it is Noodle’s turn, there’s nothing. Ashamed and convinced she is “not good enough,” she drifts back into the sea. Life goes on. Floating aimlessly, Noodle finally glimpses another seal among the seaweed…. “Three Seals” is a short animated film completed in July 2025 by Three Seals Studio.
Day in and day out, a sparrow sees images of ostriches everywhere: on posters, in ads, and on its smartphone. In awe of the ostriches, with their long necks, dazzling eyes and muscular legs, the little bird wants to be just like them. By hitting the gym to work on its leg muscles, following make-up tutorials, and paying several visits to the neck stretching studio, the sparrow comes very close to achieving its goal. But one day when a real ostrich comes to town and the sparrow meets its idol in person, one thing becomes crystal clear: try as it might, a sparrow can never truly be an ostrich.
A reflection on the relationship between nature and humankind, set within a complex interplay of landscape tones and human frailties: a gentle story of dialectical coexistence and shared journey.
Gisèle, a woman with a strong heart and overflowing with love, lives on an unusual island with her beloved hen, Ursula. These two friends share a close bond; their mutual affection withstands the harshest trials life throws at them. At least, until now. A colorful financial miracle will disrupt the duo's daily life, draining Gisèle's morality. Will this duo withstand this storm of vibrant colors?
On the way home, Mahan, a happy and kind child, experiences an accident. Now he needs to be heard and cared for...
ATHENS ANIMFEST
