28th Madurai International Documentary and Short Film Festival 2026
Section 05 : Animation, Experimental films
In My Circle
Dir : Akhil Joondeph; 5.25 min; Experimental films; USA
This dance film explores queer South Asian American world-making. How do we find ourselves within the complexities and contradictions of the cultural identities we inherit? How do we survive through community support and collective solidarity?
Omega One : of direct (((ives))) once removed
Dir :Benjamin Rosenthal; 9.54 min; Experimental films; USA
Ωmega Ωne: of direct(((ive)))s, once removed emerges from intersection of gay tourist “thirst traps” shot in Chapada Diamintina (Igatu, Bahia, Brazil), Grindr longings, and Star Trek Voyager to examine histories of colonialism and desire. Recasting the politically and historically charged landscape of Chapada Diamintina as a “set” for occidental self-exploration, the project leans into the double-bind, and problematic power dynamics of locating and engaging narratives of queerness in spaces in which one may not belong.
In, Out
Dir : Allison Brownmoore; 7.22 min; Animation films; Australia
In, Out is a short animated documentary that explores sexual fluidity through the lived experiences of three women, set against a world increasingly shaped by division rather than connection.
Outsourcing
Dir : Jun Seok Yoon; 9.31 min; Experimental films; South Korea
OUTSOURCING follows two performers attempting to rehearse a remake of Eugène Ionesco’s The Chairs under the direction of an initially unseen AI. As the actors begin outsourcing not only their labor but also their thinking and emotions, the system demands greater “authenticity,” dictating their gestures, expressions, timing, and lines with mechanical precision.
Comb Story
Dir : Ernesto Rodriguez Cruz; 2.59 min; Animation films; USA
Elena holds a wooden comb in her hands as memories pull her back to childhood — her mother combing her hair slowly, every single day, even when Elena was already a grown young woman. When life swept her away to the city, Elena cut her hair and with it cut her way back home.
The Russian Waltz
Dir : Garry Bardin; 6.59 min; Animation films; Russian Federation
The story of a man born for freedom.
When circumstances deprive him of physical freedom he achieves the impossible result, keeping his private freedom against all odds.
French Fries in the Rain
Dir : Ninah Nogino; 9.48 min; Experimental films; Brazil
It’s a rainy night at the French Fries and Açaí trailer run by two trans girls in a community nestled between rural and urban life. Customers gather, kids make a mess, and someone burns photos. A boy sees something. Heartbreak lingers in the air.
Neurons
Dir : Publio César de la Vega García; 10 min; Animation films; Spain
A candidate giving it one last push. Up to that point, it's all boring, but what happens next is unmissable. Dedicated to my brain cells.
The Three Stages of Lonliness
Dir : Luojia GAN; 2 min; Animation films; China
Follow Dingdang to Learn Chinese Poems" is a series of AIGC-animated short videos dedicated to disseminating the essence of traditional Chinese culture. It employs elements such as ink wash animation, traditional opera music, and Chinese calligraphy—all featuring distinctive ethnic characteristics—to spread classical Chinese poetry and historical stories. Created collaboratively by Dingdang and her father, the production integrates various AI tools including Kuaishou Kling, DeepSeek, and MuseAI.
Swanlake
Dir : Stella Traub; 5.32 min; Experimental films; Germany
When we are ill, all we want is one thing - not to be ill anymore. The filmmaker sees a swan in a duck pond and dreams with Long Covid of the realm of the healthy. An essay about enchanted sick people and dreaming birds.
Silver Jubilee
Dir : Kavyan Tamilvendan; 8.53 min; Animation films; India
A 20-year-old student in India receives a call from his mother, asking him to come home and celebrate and organise their 25th wedding anniversary. Caught up in his work. He reacts with frustration, at the sudden pivot change, which will affect his workflow.
Aaloo
Dir : Beybaar; 2.59 min; Experimental films; India
A sentient potato desperately dodges being eaten, only to meet a darker fate ; an absurd yet biting allegory on how blind faith and extremism consume individuals under the guise of sanctity.
The Sight is a Wound
Dir : Parham Ghalamdar; 6.48 min; Experimental films; Iran
"The Sight is a Wound" by Parham Ghalamdar is a haunting meditation on the collapse of imagery in the face of modern atrocities. The film begins with a simple question: What can the artist offer when the images of our time overwhelm the capacity of frames to contain them? I
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