The 23rd Tirana International Film Festival has wrapped its 2025 edition, spotlighting a dynamic slate of animated shorts among its nominees, winners, and official selections. As an Oscar and European Film Awards-qualifying event, the festival continues to elevate the profile of European animation, with several shorts also advancing for consideration at the European Short Awards 2025.
Festival Context and Industry Relevance
Held in Albania’s capital from September 21-27, the Tirana International Film Festival (TIFF) stands as a key showcase for emerging and established talent in European animation. TIFF’s animated short competition has become a crucial pipeline for filmmakers aiming for broader continental and international recognition, particularly as official selections become eligible for the prestigious European Film Awards.
2025 Animated Short Nominees and Winners
This year’s animated short category featured a competitive lineup, reflecting a wide geographical and stylistic range. Below are the official nominees and winners in the main animation categories:
Animation – Oscar & European Film Awards qualifying
Best Animation Short Film Winner – God is Shy
Anthéor by Patrice Joseph Blanc | France
Because Today is Saturday by Alice Eça Guimarães | Portugal, France, Spain
Budō by Alexander Toma, Amanda Aagard | Sweden
Eating Time by Mari Kivi | Estonia | 2025
God is Shy by Jocelyn Charles | France | 2025
Il Burattino e la Balena by Roberto Catani | France, Italy
In Thousand Petals by Louise Bongartz | Belgium, France
Interlude by Taiyo Nobata | Japan
Little Story by Mirjam Plettinx | Belgium, Netherlands
Murmuration by Janneke Swinkels, Tim Frijsinger | Netherlands, Belgium
S the Wolf by Sameh Alaa | France
Society of Clothes by Dahee Jeong | Canada, France, Korea
Tears by Paulina Ziolkowska | Germany, Poland
The Girl Who Cried Pearls by Chris Lavis, Maciek Szczerbowski | Canada
The Magician by Bogdan Mureșanu | Croatia, France, Romania
There Will Be No Other End by Piotr Milczarek | Poland
Vor by Ping An Huang | Taiwan
Animation
Detlev by Ferdinand Ehrhardt | Germany
Fructus Fliegus by Emilia Zieser | Germany
Hometopia by Qing Yang | UK
Intermission by Milo Bonnard | UK
Jeanne & Jean-Jean by Thanys Martin | France
Jour de Vent (Windy Day) by Martin Chailloux | France
Presqu’îles (Peninsula) by Angèle Vergoni | Belgium
Sublime by Marie Heribel | France
The Crooked Heads by Jakub Krzyszpin | Poland
Trash by Gregory Bouzid | France | 2024
Wild Animal by Tianyun Lyu | China, USA
Panorama
The PANORAMA Competition at the Tirana Film Festival (TIFF) is a program of thematically curated short films, including sections like KIDS, GENERATIONS, NEW WORLD, DIVERGENT MINDS, and PARADE. It focuses on sensitive social topics such as immigration, disabilities, LGBTQ+ issues, and children’s issues. Here’s what was presented at this year’s TIFF:
KIDs Program
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Kids Audience Choice Award – Amen by Orphée Coutier, Bettina Demarty, Kimie Maingonnat, Laurène Perego, Louise Poulain, Avril Zundel
Amen | France
Autokar | Belgium, France
Cardboard | UK
Dolores | Mexico
Filante | France
Forevergreen | USA
On the Mat Outside My Door | Germany
Snow Bear | USA
The Drifting Guitar | France
The Empty Panel | France
The Piano | USA
The Rumble-Bumble Rally | Norway
Tin Tune | USA
European Short Awards 2025 Connections
In keeping with tradition, all animated shorts officially selected at TIFF 2025 are now eligible for consideration at the European Film Awards, specifically the European Short Film category. This pathway has historically amplified the international careers of emerging directors, reinforcing TIFF’s role as a launchpad for European animation.
