SET 4: STAIRS

“If it keeps starting over, it must be forever,” says the white moth. But a gentle whisper breathes in each dawn, “one day, all days will be gone.” Ploo blends attributes of vector graphics and screen display technology with the human condition. 

Jon was born 1979 in Stade, Germany to American parents. After being awarded his Diploma in Communications Design from the HAW Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, he worked as Art Director with Scholz und Friends Berlin. Since 2006, he has been a freelance animation director. His short film CAT DAYS/NEKO NO HI premiered at the 2018 Berlinale, was internationally acclaimed and qualified for the Academy Awards. His short film ZOOPTICON, an animated musical collaboration with Thies Mynther and Sandra Trostel, has received numerous international awards and deals with almost every topic the filmmakers could think of. Jon also works for German televions networks. He writes and animates for the political satire show “extra3” (ARD) and acts as showrunner for the WDR production “OhneTitel3000”. Jon lives in Hamburg, Germany. 

Everyone needs a place where they can be completely themselves. A place that can become our own, unique and unrepeatable universe.  

Oscar nominated filmmaker, university professor and head of KEDD Animation Studio. He works in several artistic fields: producer and director of short films (e.g., Icarus, MAESTRO, ERGO, MAMA) and animation tv series (e.g., Berry and Dolly, The Kuflis). He also works as a director and visual designer for theater and operas (e.g., the Ring cycle, The Miraculous Mandarin, The Bluebeard’s Castle), illustrating books, lecturing, scriptwriting. 

Don Hertzfeldt’s new animated short film, “Paper Trail”, is a 14-minute high-speed study of someone's life, seen only through pieces of paper. New animation techniques were developed to create the film's unique look and pace.  “Paper Trail” had its world premiere at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, where it received the Special Jury Prize for Creative Vision.  

Don Hertzfeldt is an American independent filmmaker whose animated films include “It's Such a Beautiful Day”, the “World of Tomorrow” series, “ME” and “Rejected”. His work has received two Academy Award nominations, two Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prizes, and in 2014 made a special appearance on “The Simpsons”. 

In the midst of war, a man watches his beloved one by lighting the three matches he has left. Then, in the pitch darkness, a forest grows from their lovemaking and protects them from the war.  

Pooya Afzali writer, director, and animation producer, born in 1983, Iran. He studied Industrial Design at the Tehran University of Art. His debut work as a writer and director was the animated feature film “Dracula in Tehran”, released in 2012. He continued his journey in the field by creating several short animated films. In 2025, he received the France TV Award at the Annecy Festival for “At Night”. 

On the occasion of the 27th birthday of Minoo, we join her to observe the disorders and mental illnesses of her friends from her point of view. But this is not an ordinary birthday.  

Born in Tehran, Iran (1986) animation filmmaker. She has cultivated her artistic vision through 12 years as a professional animator. Her journey began with a B.A. in Painting. Seeking to deepen her understanding of time-based media, she completed a Master's in Animation Directing at Tehran Art University. Her 2017 graduation film, “Ascribed Achievements,” achieved significant international acclaim, screening at renowned festivals like Annecy and numerous Oscar-qualifying film festivals. The enthusiastic reception of this film encouraged her to produce “Gray Body” (2019), which win awards at both national and international festivals. Her latest work, the 8-minute psychological drama “Thank You Dr. Farsi,” has completed in January 2025, will be screening in Annecy animation festival 2025 in short competition. Currently, she is enrolled in the Erasmus Mundus Re:Anima program, a joint Master's degree holding in Belgium, Finland, and Portugal, where she specializes in expanded VR technology to incorporate into her next film. 

 Inside my head, there's a cat, a dog, and a pile of rocks.  

The title of this film is “Dipolar Bipolar” which means “two extremes”. It symbolizes the two extremes of bipolar disorder. 

An experimental documentary that explores heart muscle disease and the impact a diagnosis can have on a young person’s outlook on life.  

Jess Chowdhury is a stop-motion animator and sculptor. Her thesis film “Early Grief Special” was showcased at the BFI Future Film Festival in 2021 and nominated for best animation. 

A praying mantis mutant seduces and preys on men out of desperation to save her child. A failed mission led to revelations of her past and dark secrets as the story unfolds.  

Joe Hsieh is an independent Taiwan animation director whose works often explore the dark side of human nature and filled with horror and suspense. His films have captured attentions in many international film festivals. Meat Days (2006) was nominated in the Hiroshima Animation Film Festivals. The Present (2014) was nominated in the Sundance Film Festival. He collaborated in the production of No. 7 Cherry Lane (2019) which won Best Screenplay in the Venice International Film Festival. Night Bus (2020) was awarded Best Animated Short Film at Sundance Film Festival, Grand Prix Best Short Film at Animafest Zagreb, and received Public Prize at Ottawa International Animation Film Festival, and nominated for Best Short Subject at the Annie Awards. 

Struggling with alcohol addiction and mental illness, an artist reaches out to an old friend. “Superb” – Julian Waite, “Brilliant” – John Robins, “Magnificent” – Stephen Fry 

Oscar Wyndham Lewis is an artist, animator, writer and director based in Margate, England. A graduate of the Royal College of Art, his animated short film THE WAVES screened at film festivals worldwide, won Best Animation at the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival and was shortlisted for a BAFTA Award. Specialising in the intricate medium of oil on glass, Wyndham Lewis has built a diverse portfolio of art, animation and motion picture projects. With New York-based A Closer Look Inc., he served as animation director on SOMETHING TERRIBLE HAPPENED TO JOEY. The animated short film about childhood trauma and healing won multiple awards and was selected for inclusion in the PBS Learning Center, making the film accessible to every school across New York state. Wyndham Lewis recently completed a follow-up film with A Closer Look Inc., A MEDITATION ON A SHOESTRING, which he co-directed.