Saved events

Opening Night Gala: Female Figures - Growing Up (15*) + ScreenTalk

London International Animation Festival 2020

animation of a woman with hair sticking up burning a fire on a tree

In this most unusual year we are proud to screen a diminished but spirited selection of films. We look forward to you joining us in this special opening event at LIAF 2020, curated by Abigail Addison.

As an antidote to all that is happening around us, Female Figures 2020 ‘Growing Up’ considers coming of age stories, memories and experiences.

In these animations, reflections on childish fantasies and problematic relationships with friends and family are revisited; where young people on the threshold of adulthood grow aware of its challenges and temptations. We witness young people navigating societal norms and gender stereotypes with a growing self-awareness and a desire to resist tradition. Mothers reflect on their own experiences through witnessing their daughters lives and daughters interrogate their mothers to examine their own drives and choices.

Abigail Addison leads a special post-screening conversation with British-Iranian animator Maryam Mohajer and artist animator Linnéa Haviland whose films screen in this programme.

Tagged with: Cinema LIAF 2020

Programme

Tad’s Nest
The place where eels mature before being compelled to return to a location using only memories of sensations to guide them.
UK 2009 Dir Petra Freeman 5min

Grandad Was a Romantic
My grandad was a romantic man. He once saw a picture of my granny and realised she was the love of his life. So he decided to go and meet her.
UK 2019 Dir Maryam Mohajer 5min

Yellow Fever
The concept of skin and race, and what that implies; the ideas and theories sown into our flesh that change with the arc of time.
USA 2012 Dir Ng’endo Mukii 7min

Bloeistraat 11
A summer friendship is tested when puberty knocks on the door, bodies start to change and an awkwardness descends.
Belgium/The Netherlands 2018 Dir Nienke Deutz 10min

Open Recess
A charming, nostalgic story of the childhood romance of two girls.
US 2017 Dir Amy J Xu 3min

A Different Category
Three young women reflect on adolescence as a period marked by loss of ‘voice’ and the struggle between competing desires for autonomy and connection.
UK 2018 Dir Linnéa Haviland 5min

Récit de Soi
While non-binary representations are rare, Lou talks about their relationship to gender, clothes, and other markers. 
Belgium 2018 Dir Géraldine Charpentier 5min

The Butterfly Affect
A heartfelt story of insecurity, growth, and self-acceptance told through the eyes of a young worm trying to find her place in a butterfly's world.
Canada 2019 Dir Stephanie Blakey 4min

Jessica
Jessica is stuck in the house with the baby. A mundane domestic tale, full of the awkward and surreal. USA 2014 Dir Amy Lockhart 5min

Snow White Cologne
A visual poem, post-rationalising the struggle of a young girl's drug addiction. There's love and loss, good and bad. 
UK 2017 Dir Amanda Eliasson 6min

Ties
A daughter leaves the family home to lead a life of her own as an adult. Still, she remains connected to where she’s from, which has consequences for everyone.
Russia/Germany 2019 Dir: Dina Velikovskaya 8min

Umbilical
An intimate and honest conversation between mother and daughter reflecting on the impact of abusive parental relationships and being a woman growing up in China.
US 2019 Dir Danski Tang 7min

Lost Islands of Philadelphia
Once, there were islands in the river beside Philadelphia. After reading about them in a library book, a girl sets out to find them as her mum follows frantically on roller skates.
US 2018 Dir Jennifer Levonian 10min

See more film for less

Get 20% off tickets and pay no booking fees. Plus, enjoy priority booking and £6 Members’ Screenings of the latest films every Sunday (T&Cs apply)

Barbican Cinema 1