International Competition Program #8: Shar Studio Spotlight
The International Competition Programs are the backbone of the entire MIAF mission. Drawn from more than 2,300 submissions they showcase the best, most imaginative animating talent on the planet in a series of programs in which the only rule is diversity.
Every year we play films that emerge from Russia’s ‘Shar Studio’. Part school, part studio the films that annually emerge are often blend a fascination and reverence to classic Russian animation aesthetics with an outward, openly internationalist tone of storytelling and ‘world building’. We never have enough space to show all the ones we’d love to show so this year we dedicate an entire program to a look back on their last three years’ productions.
Ode To Perfume
Maxim Litvinov
Russia, 3’54, 2024
What does a scent look like? How does it taste? What sound does it make?
Howl By Gogol
Uliana Shalygina
Russia, 2’58, 2022
Five dead men want to get to the other side but they have to decide if the pack of howling dogs in front of them are there to guard or guide.
The Big Girl
Anastasiia Chikerlan
Russia, 6’01, 2023
A rescued sailor falls in love with a mysterious girl looming over the pier and tries everything he can think of to get her attention.
Drunk
Nikita Meshcheryakov
Russia, 3’46, 2022
A colourful, complex visual poem harnessing the imagery of master artist Paul Klee and the inner machinations of an alcoholic.
Choir
Angelina Gilderman
Russia, 6’12, 2023
The hall is filling, the soloist is running late, but suddenly the lights dim, the audience falls silent and the night belongs to the choir.
The Encounter
Alexandra Krivolutskaya
Russia, 5’52, 2022
Entering the deserted house of her childhood, a young girl comes face to face with some vivid apparitions of her mother.
Bright Souls
Anastasiia Zhakulina
Russia, 8’00, 2023
Some worlds are made up of big love and little things. Adapted from the short story of the same name by Vasily Shukshin.
The Brook That Ran Back To The Mountain
Alexandr Khramtsov
Russia, 10’16, 2024
A bird’s eye view of an odyssey mapping the the inescapability of destiny.
The Wall
Dmitry Ivanov
Russia, 6’30, 2024
Despite every imaginable apparently insurmountable obstacle our little hero discovers that come-what-may family is family.
Oneluv
Varya Yakovleva
Russia, 10’35, 2022
Regardless of the hospitality extended them, a visiting couple lead a destructive assault on the harmony of their hosts’ world.
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.