Every year, the animation programs are some of the most magical screenings at the San Jose International Short Film Festival. Hand-drawn, stop-motion, CG: our audiences love all of it, and so do we. So while we count down to this year’s festival in October, here are six animated shorts from recent festivals that you can watch right now, from home.
Umbrella
Directed by Helena Hilario and Mario Pece · Best Animation, 2020
Joseph is a boy living in an orphanage who dreams of one simple thing: a yellow umbrella. Inspired by true events, this Brazilian short is a beautifully animated story about empathy and hope, and it took home Best Animation at our 2020 Home Edition festival. Fair warning: you may need tissues.
Stills from Umbrella.
Shooom’s Odyssey
Directed by Julien Bisaro · Best Animation, 2021
Shooom, a baby owl, hatches just as a storm turns the bayou around her tree upside down, and sets off on a wonderful adventure. The French short won our Best Animation award in 2021 and is a great pick for animation fans of every age.
Stills from Shooom’s Odyssey.
First Born
From San José State University animation students · SJSFF 2021
Made right here in San Jose by students in San José State University’s Animation/Illustration program, First Born follows a boy who wants to win his family’s approval and match his sister’s success, and has to prove himself at an upcoming martial arts competition. It’s funny, heartfelt and gorgeously drawn, and we couldn’t be prouder to have screened it.
Stills from First Born.
Sprite Fright
Directed by Matthew Luhn · SJSFF 2022
A group of rowdy teenagers treks into an isolated British forest, where they meet some adorable little mushroom creatures that turn out to be a very unexpected force of nature. Made by Blender Studio as an ’80s-inspired horror comedy, it’s a blast. (It’s rated PG, but younger kids might find a few moments a little spooky.)
Stills from Sprite Fright.
Barking Orders
Directed by Alexander Tullo · SJSFF 2022
When the entire British royal family is suddenly out of the picture, the Queen’s corgi finds himself next in line for the throne. Made at Ringling College of Art and Design, this quick, clever CG comedy packs a lot of laughs into just a couple of minutes.
Stills from Barking Orders.
Canary
Directed by Pierre-Hugues Dallaire and Benoit Therriault · Best Family Film, 2023
Sonny is a young boy who works in an underground coal mine, taking care of the canary that warns the miners about deadly gas. When he teaches the bird to play dead as a prank, the consequences are bigger than he could have imagined. From Montreal studio Rodeo FX, it won our Best Family Film award last year. Watch the trailer below.
Stills from Canary.
See More Animation in October
If these get you in the mood, mark your calendar: the 16th annual San Jose International Short Film Festival returns to CineArts at Santana Row October 24–27, 2024, with a brand-new lineup of animated shorts. In the meantime, read about Andreas Deja’s hand-drawn Mushka, our 2023 Best Animation winner, and explore every year’s winners on our Awards page.
