Perfect for youngest audiences, this colorful and musical mix of the best animated films from around the world features chatty birds, beatboxing cats and one very hungry pig. From Slovakia to Spain, filmmakers demonstrate a range of styles, using everything from hand-drawn to computer-generated animation and mixed media collage with characters made from patterned fabrics, burlap and buttons.

Mi'au Myau
In this lovely hand-drawn short, a group of birds sit together on a branch, chirping away each in their own native tongue. But when an unexpected visitor comes along, his words are universally understood. (Vida Vega, England 2009, 1 min)

All That Cats
In this series of animated shorts, a duo of hip hop cats perform beatbox rhythms to transform everyday situations into a musical experience. (Mátyás Lanczinger, Hungary 2009, 3 min)

How the Shammies Bathed
Mixed media animation creates a textural feast with adorable animated characters designed in patterned fabrics, burlap and buttons. A foreboding “drip-drop” coming from a dark room turns out to be only water in the tub—it’s bath time for the Shammies! (Edmunds Jansons, Latvia 2010, 7 min) 

Whistleless
A little bird struggles to find his voice in a world full of different noises. (Siri Melchior, Denmark 2010, 5 min)

The Yellow Balloon
The true story of a dramatic event that takes place on a New York City subway, featuring a little girl and her yellow balloon. (Ben Thompson, Rob Castillo, USA 2010, 3 min)

Who’s There?
Two boys hatch out of eggs and have an imaginative adventure. Sometimes as friends, sometimes as rivals, they build a house to protect themselves from the wolf. (Vanda Ra manová, Slovakia 2009, 10 min)

Mobile
Isolated on the edge of society, a cow tips the balance of destiny when she attempts to make a friend. (Verena Fels, Germany 2010, 6 min)

Saari
Stunning colors, character design and art direction show influences of Miró in this Spanish series about the creative adventures of a group of friends living together on the animated island of Saari. (Pablo Jordi, Spain 2008, 6 min)

Snowflakes and Carrots
A little girl steals the carrot noses from all the snowmen she can find. But why? (Samantha Leriche-Gionet, Canada 2010, 4 min)

Precise Peter
An obsessive compulsive dad is excited about introducing his little boy to the joys of alfresco dining. The fish is ready, the table is set, the sun is shining, all seems perfect—but junior can’t quite get with the program.(Martin Schmidt, Germany 2010, 5 min)

Murphy’s Shorts
A chubby kid on a diving board keeps bouncing higher and higher as sister, dad and baby watch from below with growing anticipation and concern. (Todd Hemker, USA 2009, 2 min)

Ormie
Pig see cookie. Pig want cookie. With relentless determination, Ormie employs Wile E. Coyote-type contraptions and half-baked plans in a series of increasingly desperate attempts to attain the sweet objects of his obsession. (Rob Silvestri, Canada 2009, 4 min)

The Little Boy and the Beast
When your mother turns into a beast, a lot of things change. (Weiland and Heidschotter, Germany 2009, 7 min)


(Total running time 62 min, in English) Recommended for ages 3–6.