Animation Now
Back for the third year ‘Animation Now’ showcases the best of contemporary queer animation. In this screening there are complex and mature characters that challenge the assumption that cartoons are just for kids. We are taken on journeys exploring sex, love, death, parenting and protest. And of course, there are also moments of playfulness, colour and childlike imagination in this selection. Expect everything in this jam packed screening showing 10 films.
Curated by Nat Lall and Huss.
Tickets are on a pay what you can sliding scale of FREE, £4, £8, £12, £16, or £20, in order to make SQIFF more accessible to those on a low income. You can choose what you pay based on your circumstances – you won’t be asked for any proof/ID. We just ask that you are honest! Please find the ‘What Should I Pay?’ guidance here. To book your ticket for this event, click here.
Accessibility
This programme has:
- English and Mandarin Chinese audio with English language Descriptive Subtitles
- English-BSL interpretation for introduction and workshop
- Live Captioning for introduction and workshop
This screening is 76 minutes long and has an age recommendation of N/C 18+.
You can find out more information about accessibility at SQIFF 2025 here. If you have any questions about accessibility at SQIFF 2025, please get in touch with us at [email protected] or by phone on 07873 331 036.
Films in this programme include:
The Last Garden, Dir Eloise Jenninger, 2024, United Kingdom, 8 min
For Henry, the community garden is his escape from the daily toil in the city. However, the day has come for it to be demolished, Henry and his community can’t agree on how to save it.
The Prospectors, episode 1 Pip Pop’s Find, Dir. David Hutchison, 2025, United Kingdom, 10 min
Cat dads Ahab and Gert discover rejuvenating goo on their asteroid, but sharing it leads to capture by space cannibal Sunny Bean.
Two Black Boys In Paradise, Dir. Baz Sells, 2025, United Kingdom, 9 min
A movingly tender animation, based on Dean Atta’s eponymous poem, sees two boys (Edan, 19 and Dula, 18) on a journey of self-acceptance and love – for each other and themselves.
Content notes: Depiction of animated nudity, homophobia, police harassment, racism, sex.
Beacon, Dir. Alicia Brown, 2025, United Kingdom, 2 min
An animation about finding a way home after crash-landing on an unknown planet.
Colour Me Pink, Dir. Anika O’Hagan-Ploug, 2024, Ireland, 3 min
Music Video for indie pop song Colour Me Pink by K E L, created by Anika O’Hagan-Ploug.
Dragfox, Dir. Lisa Ott, 2024, United Kingdom, Switzerland, 8 min
Sam’s search for identity gets interrupted by a mysterious neighbourhood fox. Together they embark on a magical journey to the attic to discover the surprising things they might have in common, and how to celebrate the ways in which they differ.
Falling for Greta, Dir. Gustavo Arteaga, 2023, United Kingdom, 11 min
When love comes knocking Greta’s world is turned upside down. As her passion grows complications follow but change is coming in the shape of water.
Hey Dad, Dir. WeiFan Wang, 2023, Taiwan, 6 min
I’ve practiced these words for 20 years now, but maybe being candid isn’t the best idea. I’m starting my countdown again, another 20 years. Maybe it might be the right time by then.
Access notes: Flashing imagery.
Grand Dandy (For Ezra), Dirs. The Campbells (Jen and Crystal Campbell), 2024, United Kingdom, 4 min
Non-binary grandparent Libro Levi Bridgeman shares tender moments with grandson Ezra while exploring how to explain their queer identity lovingly.
Fried!, Dir. Lizzie Watts, 2025, United Kingdom, 10 min
As Dev drives home from a mysterious, ageing nuclear facility, he becomes stranded at an isolated emu farm run by old mystic lesbians. Suspicious of their intentions, Dev fears they will sacrifice him at the local stone circle.
Content notes: Depiction of animated nudity.
Access notes: Flashing imagery.
Midnight at Mickey’s, Dir. Vin Wolff, 2024, United Kingdom, 5 min
Two tough guys face off in a seedy late-night diner.
Donate:
Donate to SQIFF via PayPal or sign up to one of our four Patreon tiers to support our work and show us you’re a big SQIFF fan 🌈✨
Supported by Screen Scotland, the BFI Audience Projects Fund and Film Hub Scotland (part of the BFI Film Audience Network), all awarding National Lottery funding.
Image Credit: Two Black Boys In Paradise, Dir. Baz Sells, 2025