Commissioned Shorts
60 minutes
In need of animator? Never panic! These animators prove that the companies and initiatives that hired them were right. How right? Just look at these pieces of art!
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When companies and initiative need to make a splash, who you gonna call? Ghostbust... Wait, no, animators, of course! These creative wizards, who would even graduate from Hogwarts if possible, are tasked with turning ordinary messages in extraordinary works of art. It's a win-win, right? The clients get their visual marvels, and we get an absolutely stellar programme of commissioned shorts. Art on demand is still art! And we're commissioning you to sit back, relax, and enjoy the show - no deadlines required!
This program screened as part of Kaboom Animation Festival 2025
Showing in this program
Adult Swim: Glitch Dance
Adult Swim: Keep Dreamin’
Adult Swim: Scoop
Adult Swim: Snowboard
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Adult Swim: Space Girls
Adult Swim ident made by students of HSLU Lucern.
An Icicle for an Icicle
A short segment for an animated advent calendar.
Clipphanger: What is Scabies?
Clipphanger explains scabies in a short cartoon.
Corridor: Jump Cut
Eyes on Porn
A light-hearted introduction to some of the facts, myths and risks of mainstream porn.
Group Session
Set in a tactile world, this film introduces Geoff, a young and creative individual who is struggling with his feelings. Is there something wrong with him? In a group session with his favorite tools - an all-star cast of peculiar puppets - and through a ridiculously catchy song, he finally discovers what has been going on all this time…
The film is written, directed and produced by Studio Mals & Setreset Films. Two Dutch design studios of passionate creators and filmmakers dedicated to pushing the boundaries of handcrafted storytelling. The film shows puppetry in a refreshing and playful way, with meticulous attention to detail. The story revolves around a current theme and invites you to spark your own creativity.
Behind the scenes
Since the film is completely made by hand, the design process from beginning to end might even be more captivating than the film itself. From crafting the puppets to building the sets, the craftsmanship and dedication is documented in a snappy behind-the-scenes video. Take a deep dive into the creation of the film, on-set adventures and funny outtakes.
For more information about "Group Session" and upcoming screenings, please visit studiomals.com & setresetfilms.nl. For more behind-the-scenes content follow @studiomals & @setresetfilms on Instagram.
Honkytonk’s Dream
It's bedtime in Pymmes Park. Honkytonk the duck sleeps and dreams ... one day, by the lake, seeds were raining from the heavens ...
It has feathers! It's an animated collage featuring a waddling, paddling menagerie of found illustration! It's ... Honkytonk's Dream! A commission for 1927 and the Friends of Pymmes Park, directed by Laurie Hill. Story by children from the 'What Fowl Play' workshop.
Illegal Mana
A magical elf-party in the woods comes to a sudden end and the forest goddess finds herself all alone. Luckily for our music-loving heroine, nature will always find a way to celebrate: After drinking the mystical sap from her headset-flower, the parasites on her body begin to make music!
A comissioned anthology by the director trio Nice Try consiting of Pia Graf, Jack Zhang and Julia Müller.
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In My Garden
I was commissioned by GIPHY to create a 28 seconds personal animation.
An imaginative story based on the events in my own garden after I moved to Stoke-on-Trent.
The backgrounds are hand drawn with watercolour.
Juniore: Mediterranee
Dive into the sunny memories of the French Riviera with "Méditerranée," the new animated music video by the band Juniore, directed by Clement Soulmagnon. The singer Anna, nostalgic for her carefree days in Nice, takes us to a lively Mediterranean cove. Through vibrant illustrations and a summery atmosphere, follow a woman on a bicycle discovering the magic of the sea until a solitary swim. An ode to the beauty and tranquility of the Mediterranean, brought to life by an exceptional artistic collaboration.
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Les Savy Fav: Guzzle Blood
Let U Go
One night, Pyjama awakens alone in his room, immersed in nostalgic thoughts. Suddenly, mysterious shadows appear and captivate him. His bed comes to life and carries him away in a strange and magical dance.
Little Birds
This is a story about migration, but above all it is a story about hope. Migrant children tell us their experiences, expectations and stories about their journey to the United States and to a different life.
Magic Buzz
The vibrations of an abandoned phone in the woods attract several music loving fairies. They join their musical forces to create a tiny fairy-rave.
Produced for Adult Swim Off the Air (MUSIC) in close collaboration with musician Xav Clarke
Miami Jewish Film Festival Trailer
A short animated trailer commissioned by the Miami Jewish Film Festival.
Celebrating the joy of the colorful Miami.
Motoyama Engine Works: Connected to History
In "Connected to History," an employee interacts with some valve spirits. Likened to tsukumogami, or tools that have acquired a spirit, the commercial shows how the company has lasted to the point helpful spirits inhabit the tools around the employees.
Moving Parts
In a surreal, industrial dystopia, a travelling salesman prepares to sell his wares. Briefcase of spare parts in hand, he sighs at the makeshift sign above a small door. “Cash for Partz”. Reluctantly he stumbles through the door and into the den of a towering, two-headed, steampunk behemoth. The monster has a dark, rasping song to sing to the salesman, about business and art. A proposition that seems too good to be true.
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Naive New Beaters & Star Feminine Band: Ye Kou Si Kuo
Need a Good Sleep?
A snoozing fisherman, a dozing gardener, a restful raver... a diverse collection of characters fall asleep whilst listening to 'The Sleeping Forecast' in this hand-crafted stop motion spot for the BBC Sounds podcast.
Playgrounds In Motion 2024 Opening Titles
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Pune Design Festival Versus Ident Film
The PDF or Pune Design Festival Signature Film portrays a designer’s journey as he works on a problem to carve out a solution, illustrating that the solution is always within the problem. Much like a sculptor revealing a hidden gem from a lump of clay or hard rock, the designer transforms conflict into co-creation. The concept of this film, based on the design festival’s central theme VERSUS, encapsulates the dynamic interplay between struggle and creative synergy.
The Great British Bake Off: Sweet Relief!
Step into a whimsical world of Sweet Relief with The Great British Bake Off’s first-ever fully 2D animated campaign. Directed by Bonnie Taylor Forsyth, produced by us and created at Mighty Nice, the campaign blends nostalgic 2D cell animation with playful, contemporary characters. Hosts Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond guide us from stormy skies into a vibrant land of cakes, jammy dodger flowers, and iconic bakes. Embracing hand-crafted animation, the film’s raw, ungraded style reflects the heart and soul of Bake Off—where artistry, warmth, and tradition come together in every delicious moment.
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The Seed
As night fell, the marsh came alive with the much-awaited concert of nocturnal creatures, attended by the denizens of the wetland. All was well until an ardent fan could no longer contain their excitement.
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Welcome to the City of Love
Paris has never seen a love like this. Nexus Studios’ director Fx Goby draws a close parallel between romantic love and the passion athletes feel for their sports in this launch film for the BBC’s Paris 2024 Olympic Games coverage. Working closely with BBC Creative, Fx and the Nexus Studios team led an artful and intense choreography of 58 shots and 36 athletes into 60 seconds of breathtaking animated film. The expertly crafted piece is a dynamic and moving tribute to sporting passion.
To capture this concept and continue the legacy of BBC’s award-winning Olympics work, which previously earned Nexus Studios two BAFTAs, Fx wanted every single image to be iconic, capture the human spirit of endeavour, and retain warmth and texture. This made 2D animation a clear choice for its universal graphic appeal and a strong sense of hand-crafted artistry.
The Athletes
Each athlete’s body type, posture, and fashion all had to be authentically sport-specific with hours of research and experimentation being poured into their appearance. The character design process was a balance of capturing power and expressiveness. Fx and the team simultaneously dramatised both the sheer physicality of the athletes, while highlighting the subtlety of their emotions during their performances.
A Hymn To Love
An iconic, quintessentially French, love song, Hymne A L’Amour was written by Edith Piaf after she lost the love of her life, world boxing champion Marcel Cerdan. Rearranged for the story arc, it elevates the visual drama and provides a soul-stirring anthem for the Olympic Games.
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Zapped
A family fight for the remote control spirals out of control.
