Dreams In Motion: An Experimental Animation Showcase
Presented in partnership with Indexical: Experience dreams outside of a sleep state with Dreams in Motion: An Experimental Animation Showcase, a block that pushes the limits of the animated medium through boundary defying visuals, loud ideas, and impactful emotional depths. Including Bunnyhood , winner of Third Prize in the La Cinef category at Cannes Film Festival 2024 and Nobody, a surreal exploration of resilience and loss in postwar Gaza, acclaimed at the Tribeca Film Festival 2025 Also featured are A Round of Applause for Death, a darkly poetic meditation on mortality, the wild stop-motion horror-comedy Nostril, the disorienting everyday adventure of Running Late, and the inventive, post-apocalyptic karaoke tale Tuna Tartare—each celebrated for originality and daring storytelling. From meditations on death and love to absurd adventures and existential musings, this collection of animated shorts reveals what’s possible when artistry and experimentation collide. Join us for a cinematic journey that celebrates unexpected visions and the ever-expanding creative edge of animation.
- https://www.indexical.org/
- 43 minutes
Featured Short Films:
Bunnyhood
Bunnyhood is a frenzied, 9-minute rollercoaster ride, described by Directors Notes as “pure nightmare fuel,” and akin to “watching the scribbled drawings etched onto an old school desk come to life”
Director: Mansi Maheshwari
Region: United Kingdom
Length: 09:07
Nobody
After an airstrike hits the home of a newlywed family in Gaza, the pregnant wife survives unharmed, alongside her husband’s head, which remains alive without a body. How can life ever return to normal for this small family?. We dive into their surreal journey as they grapple with loss, survival, and the fragile hope of rebuilding in the aftermath of tragedy.
Director: Msallam Hdaib
Region: Jordan
Length: 06:45
A Round of Applause for Death
Death takes centre stage and faceless spectators applaud the inevitable in a series of murderous dreams.
Director: Stephen Irwin
Region: United Kingdom
Length: 05:00
Nostril
Nostril is a stop-motion animated short film about Lala, a sleep-deprived woman kept awake by her husband’s obnoxious snoring. When the sound becomes so powerful that it quite literally sucks her into his nose, Lala finds herself in a terrifying battle against the boogery germ creatures that dwell within. Blending comedy and horror, Nostril looks at the things we put up with for love, highlighting relationship struggles with a light-hearted tone.
Directors: Michael Dondero, Shengnan Dong
Region: United States
Length: 04:30
Running Late
A stop-motion animated film about one mans surreal morning routine
Director: Alistair Nicholls
Region: United Kingdom
Length: 06:19
Tuna Tartare
Earth, 3036 A.D. Humans are on the verge of extinction and the world is now run by... TRASH. TUNA TARTARE is a bombastic can of tuna fish who runs THROATS karaoke bar with her BFF Susan, a fake Louis Vuitton purse with crippling anxiety. Upon hearing of the death of the last surviving human, Tuna is reminded of an old brush with fame that ended in embarrassment, sending her on an internal journey to battle her own insecurities and build herself back up again to do what she does best: karaoke.
Director: Lena Greene
Region: United States
Length: 10:33
About The Santa Cruz Film Festival
Dive into five electrifying days of world-class films, unforgettable parties, and celebration as the Santa Cruz Film Festival roars back this October 8–12 2025 for its 25th anniversary.
Experience the cinematic spirit of the Central Coast as the Santa Cruz Film Festival celebrates 25 years of movie magic. Over five unforgettable days this October, the city comes alive with world-class films fresh from Sundance, SXSW, and Tribeca, intimate conversations with visiting filmmakers, and lively parties under the Santa Cruz sky. From boundary-pushing documentaries to electrifying narratives, SCFF invites you to immerse yourself in the moving-image arts and connect with a community that thrives on creativity.
Experience bold and necessary storytelling from around the world, including award-winning films fresh from Sundance, SXSW, Cannes, and Tribeca, alongside powerful local stories that showcase Santa Cruz and our endlessly creative Central Coast. Plus, meet the filmmakers at screenings, Q&As, industry panels and at the Opening Night Gala at the Museum of Art and History!
SCFF 25 will be held at The Del Mar Theater, Santa Cruz Cinema Colligan Theater, The 418 Project, and Indexical.