Happy Birthday

This animated short features Leonard, a 6-year-old boy with the unusual hobby of collecting sounds. Transforming household noises around him into exciting fantasies, he creates an adventure story for his older brother in which knights chase away monsters and perform other daring deeds.

Opening with dreamlike images of the city of Siena at night, this short sand animation evolves into a symphony of waving banners, distant voices and galloping horses. Created especially for Italy’s Siena International Short Film Festival.

There’s been another toxic spill. For the city councillor responsible, it’s just a big nuisance, having to endure media scrutiny until the crisis has passed. For the creatures in the lake, however, it’s a catastrophe. One turtle, in her desperate hour, summons up the courage to leave her home and speak truth to power. Turns out there’s more at stake than just the lake. Animated directly under the camera by Lynn Smith using paint and collage, What Rhymes with Toxic is both funny and deadly serious, and a sharp reminder that we are all interconnected.

Lynn Smith's animated short. Nominated by Genie Best Short animation.

This animated short features a night watchman who, with his dog Fang, discovers that museums are not just a collection of dusty old artefacts. With humour, the film shows how the past is very much alive and connected to our present.

Set to a rollicking doo-wop song by Canadian songwriter Zander Ary, the animated short Soup of the Day tells the amusing story of the dilemma a husband and wife face every time they go out to eat. Will their culinary differences douse the flames of romance, or will love prevail?

Behind the glitz and glamour of Tinseltown exists a harsh reality. Lolita is a streetwalker hustling for business on Hollywood Blvd. Julie is a waitress coping with a sexual assault. Peter is struggling to come to terms with his sexuality. Their lives touch each other in ways they never expected.

A man makes a bet with himself to stop smoking, but he can't.

Two children prove to be the most courageous circus performers of them all.