Festival Archives: Chicago Intl Film Festival

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A brown and pink spotted octopus looks at a small fish under the sea. In one tentacle, it holds a balanced pile of rocks.

POND [short film] TÜMPEL

  Lena von Döhren, Eva Rust

  Switzerland     9 minutes

Synopsis

Following an unexpected seagull attack on a school of herrings, a lone herring finds itself stranded in a tidal pool. In its desperate search for an escape, it forges an amusing bond with various other sea creatures, and together, they unite to protect themselves from the looming seagull threat.

This film screens as part of the Shorts 9: Family Friendly Animation – Better Together program.

  

 No Dialogue 

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A young girl stands next to a black and gold jaguar as they both look in the same direction.

Balam [short film]

  Guillermo Casarin

  Mexico, United States     11 minutes

Synopsis

Deep in the jungle, Itzel, a young girl of Mayan descent, embarks on a camping trip with her father. While stargazing, Itzel’s curiosity compels her to venture off and explore the lush surroundings. During her quest, she stumbles upon a jaguar in captivity, sparking an exhilarating adventure that unveils a profound connection.

This film screens as part of the Shorts 9: Family Friendly Animation – Better Together program and Adventures/Aventuras: Animated Shorts Community Cinema program.

 Mayan, Spanish with subtitles 

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A felt battery person uses a straw to blows bubbles in a bowl. Beside it are bubble wands, soap and water and big bubbles.

Battery Mommy [short film] 건전지 엄마

  Seungbae Jeon

  South Korea     9 minutes

Synopsis

Battery Mommy is the heartbeat of the nursery, powering its most beloved toys and essential devices. As the children take their afternoon nap on a chilly winter day, Battery Mommy suddenly discovers a horrifying sight—the Christmas tree in the nursery has caught fire.

This film screens as part of the Shorts 9: Family Friendly Animation – Better Together program.

  

 Korean with subtitles 

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A man working in a train station looks at a tiger in his booth. In front of them is a broken boombox.

Town Hall Square [short film]

  Christian Kaufmann

  Germany     9 minutes

Synopsis

Bernard’s routine is anchored behind the ticket booth windows at the Town Hall Square subway station, where his life unfolds in a relentless monotony. Yet, the predictable cadence of his existence is abruptly disrupted when an escaped tiger roams into the station, fixated on one peculiar item – his radio.

This film screens as part of the Shorts 9: Family Friendly Animation – Better Together program and Adventures/Aventuras: Animated Shorts Community Cinema program.

  

 English 

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A girl reads a book in bed with her finger on the page. Behind her is a bedside table with a lamp on top.

Ana Morphose [short film]

  João Rodrigues

  Portugal     10 minutes

Synopsis

A young girl reads a book before bedtime, and as she starts to drift off to sleep, the real world transforms into a fantastical place where the book’s stories come to life. Ana, a character in her own tale, embarks on an extraordinary journey to carve out her place in a world filled with hidden surprises and mysteries.

This film screens as part of the Shorts 9: Family Friendly Animation – Better Together program and Adventures/Aventuras: Animated Shorts Community Cinema program.