TEHRAN -- A diverse slate of animated short films from Iranian filmmakers will be featured at the fifth edition of Germany’s T-Short Festival, a boutique event dedicated to showcasing short-form animation from around the globe.
Running in two formats—an in-person edition from November 27 to 29, and an online version (Germany-only) from November 30 to December 13—the T-Short Festival screens animated films of up to 15 minutes, focusing on emerging voices and experimental storytelling.
This year’s lineup includes a strong showing from Iranian cinema, with twelve short animations selected for screening. The films span a range of themes, techniques, and tones—from surreal and socially reflective to whimsical and deeply personal.
Among the Iranian selections is “The Shadow Shop” by Hooman Tehrani Sharif, which offers a poetic meditation on intangible fears, and “The Day the Snow Melts” from Hajar Mehrani, a quietly poignant reflection on memory and change.
Niloufar Naderi Tehrani contributes two titles: “Korbat”, exploring emotional displacement through visual metaphor, and “Domestic Delirium,” a hauntingly intimate look at isolation within the home. Also featured is “Glory” by Mehdi Barghzadegan, tackling the cost of ambition in a stylized aesthetic.
Hussein Moradizadeh brings two works—“Fereydoun’s Sons” and “A Wakeful Dream”—both steeped in folklore-inspired imagery. Meanwhile, “An Ordinary Day” by Bagher Bahram Shotorban captures the surreal moments of everyday routine with deadpan humor.
Social commentary finds its way into “Insurance for Housewives” from Alireza Pourshakouri, which critiques gender roles through metaphor-laced animation. “Suddenly, a Bird” by Elaheh Farnia and “Paper Flowers” by Ramak Amin Kazemi delve into themes of loss, longing, and liberation. “At Night” by Pouya Afzali rounds out the lineup with a minimalist, atmospheric piece on solitude.
While the T-Short Festival remains niche in size, it has grown into a respected platform for global animation talent. The strong Iranian presence at this year’s edition reflects the country’s growing footprint in the international animation scene, particularly among independent and experimental creators.