The 49th edition of CINANIMA in Espinho, Portugal put a spotlight on animated short films from around the world, showcasing diverse voices, visual styles and storytelling approaches. The festival’s awards for short films recognise excellence in narrative, artistry and sound, and 2025’s winners reflected both global reach and creative ambition.
Grand Prize Winner: Dog Alone (Portugal/France)
Director Marta Reis Andrade’s Dog Alone won the Grand Prize for International Short. The 13-minute film centres on a dog left alone after the death of its owner and companions, and the emotional distance that follows.
Watch it here:
Jury Special Prize: Bus (Belgium/France)
The Jury’s Special Award went to Bus, directed by Sylwia Szkiłądź. In its 17-minute runtime, an eight-year-old girl from Poland emigrates to Belgium, and the film turns this migratory journey into a poetic, imaginative story about belonging and change.
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Best Screenplay: Because Today is Saturday (Portugal/France/Spain)
Directed by Alice Eça Guimarães, this short earned the award for Best Screenplay. It explores the tug-of-war between everyday routine and the yearning to break free, within the life of a woman on a Saturday that holds more meaning than most.
Watch it here:
Best Artistic Direction: Society of Clothes (Canada/France/South Korea)
Directed by Dahee Jeong, Society of Clothes won for its striking visual concept. The film imagines a world where people are composed entirely of clothing, exploring identity through surreal design and poetic treatment of garments as characters.
Watch it here:
Best Sound Design: Hurikán (Bosnia & Herzegovina / Czech Republic / France / Slovakia)
Jan Saska’s Hurikán was honoured for its sound design. The short fuses 2D and 3D computer animation to tell a chaotic story of urgency, desire and pursuit within a lively urban landscape.
Watch it here:
Why the Short Film Awards Matter
The short film categories at CINANIMA enable animators and studios to experiment, refine their craft and build international exposure. Because short-form works often capture bold ideas and distinctive voices, the winners show where animation is going: emotionally rich narratives, diverse cultural perspectives and innovation in form. The success of Dog Alone, Bus, Because Today is Saturday, Society of Clothes and Hurikán underscores how much creative potential there is in international short animation.
With the awards and visibility of CINANIMA 2025 now out in the world, the filmmakers behind these shorts are positioned to reach broader audiences, attract new funding and perhaps move into longer formats. The festival continues to play a key role in spotting and elevating emerging talent globally.
