International Competition Program #1

The International Competition Programs are the backbone of the entire MIAF mission. Drawn from more than 2,450 submissions they showcase the best, most imaginative animating talent on the planet. For Programs 1 to 5 the only rule is diversity: you’ll get a bit of everything! For Programs 6 to 10 we take the opportunity to highlight interesting themes and styles that felt prominent in the year’s submissions.

This program opens with an astonishing recent film by Izabela Plucińska. JOKO took more than 500 clay models to complete, and sets a new standard on what claymation is capable of achieving. And our first International Program closes with IL BURATTINO E LA BALENA by Italian master animator (and previous Best Of MIAF winner) Roberto Catani, which arrives as one of the most impressive examples of hand-drawn transformational animation we’ve seen since… maybe since Catani’s last film.

Joko
Izabela Plucińska
Poland, 15’00, 2024
Joko, a lowly worker, finds himself forced into an increasingly sinister world of truly bizarre servitude.

Au Gre de L’iode
Léa Deprez, Pierre-Luis Bordes, Elliot Desmarets, Jeanne Finet
France, 7’40, 2025
The ocean begins to slowly consume the world of a lonely fish taxidermist in a beautifully rendered tide of colour and light.

Yummy
Martinus Klemet
Estonia, 9’00, 2024
Julia works as a dog food tester, but after a particularly poignant break-up dog food will never taste the same again.

ZgurlOdyssee
Leon Chamelot
France, 3’10, 2025
A group of scientists stranded on an alien planet struggle against a mysterious force that holds them in its grip.

Carcassonne-Acapulco
Marjorie Caup, Olivier Heraud
France, 13’49, 2025
An oddly elegant screwball drama of intrigue rolls out high in the skies when it becomes clear someone outside wants in.

Long-Term Extramarital Affair
Neely Goniodsky
USA, 4’19, 2025
A malleable exploration of the absurdist reality of being trapped in two unfulfilling relationships at the same time.

Il Burattino e la Balena
Roberto Catani
Italy, 8’11, 2024
The latest film from the master of animated transformation, distilling down the story of a puppet who – despite it all – is not destined to become a child.

This session is classified: Unclassified (M) Mature, not recommended for viewers under 15 years.

Please note that Backlot is NOT fully accessible. There are stairs with handrails, but no lift to the second floor where the cinema is located.