Category: Best Animation – 2026 ARFF Barcelona

(HONORABLE MENTION)

Original Film Title: NEO DOKKEBIZ – Hmmm

Director’s Name: JIEUN YU

Writer’s Name: JIEUN YU

Executive Producer: JIEUN YU

Producer: Michelle Yu

Music Producer: JUNJAMAN

Country of Origin: South Korea

Country of Filming: South Korea

Language: English, Korean

Runtime: 3 minutes 18 seconds

Film Description:

Where K-POP, Korean heritage, and AI meet.

A traditional Korean guardian spirit, “dokkaebi” (Korean goblin), is resurrected as a virtual K-POP idol through generative AI.
A cinematic music video featuring NEO DOKKEBIZ, a dokkaebi who has come to spread good fortune across the world.

(FINALIST)

Original Film Title: Enemy Heroes

Director’s Name: Mark Diamond

Writer’s Name: Mark Diamond

Producer: Mark Diamond, Laura Lee Diamond

Country of Origin: United States

Country of Filming: United States

Language: English

Runtime: 7 minutes 51 seconds

Film Description:

Enemy Heroes “Because… sometimes it is not easy to tell… Who is the Enemy?.. Who are the Heroes?”

Enemy Heroes is a multi-level WWII version of ‘All Quiet on The Western Front’ in which the audience agonizes over the heart-wrenching choices the protagonists are forced to make – and in so doing clarifies their own values.
It’s not a film about War. It is a film about Humanity.

(FINALIST)

Original Film Title: DreamBrew

Director’s Name: Ben Bayliss, Anthony Hampshire, Joel Dutton

Writer’s Name: Ben Bayliss, Anthony Hampshire, Joel Dutton

Producer: Ben Bayliss, Anthony Hampshire, Joel Dutton

Country of Origin: United Kingdom

Country of Filming: United Kingdom

Language: English

Runtime: 2 minutes 10 seconds

Film Description:

The project is designed to be used as an uncommissioned advertisement for the company Dreambrew (owned by simon squib)– an iced
coffee brand. A young woman stuck in office drudgery is given an opportunity to dive into her
dreams and explore what she is truly passionate about. She awakens from her dream and
decides to quit her job and follow her dreams.

(WINNER)

Original Film Title: Pinocchio and the Water of Life

Director’s Name: Victor V Luckysov

Writer’s Name: Mark DeCarlo, Ryan Rowe

Producer: Paul Marshal, Kim Eva Matuka, Yonas Kibreab, Marc DeCarlo, Vsevolod Zorin

Country of Origin: Spain, United States

Country of Filming: Spain

Language: English

Runtime: 1 hour 30 minutes

Film Description:

In this hilarious, action-packed twist on an Italian classic, Pinocchio goes on a mission to rescue his puppet pals before the evil Faustino destroys them in a catastrophic bonfire!
Our story, based on Carlo Collodi’s original 1883 book, starts when the enigmatic Dr. Wushi rumbles into Genova, leaving behind a cranky talking bottle to grant puppet-maker Carlo his greatest wish – or so he thinks. Suddenly, Pinocchio is alive and kicking, something Carlo never, ever wished for. Knowing he’s not wanted, Pinocchio escapes Carlo’s house and sails away. But he’s not alone, feeling responsible for the mistake, Coot, the wisecracking bottle, tags along to keep Pinocchio safe as the unlikely duo embarks on a laugh-out-loud, globe-trotting quest for the legendary Water of Life. This magical elixir is their only hope to save Pinocchio’s friends from their fiery fate! But it won’t be easy.
Along the way Pinocchio and Coot outrun swashbuckling pirates, tangle with carnivorous circus performers, and outsmart hungry beasts, all while trying to get their hands on that magical water. After a harrowing escape from living flames lapping his heels, Pinocchio thinks he’s home safe. Until they return to Genova with the Water of Life, and run head-first into the truly evil Major Faustino. This maniacal puppeteer is dead set on throwing the biggest, most profitable puppet bonfire the world has ever seen! Pinocchio thinks bringing his friends to life will solve everything, but… its just the beginning of his real problems.
Will Pinocchio save his friends? Can he outwit the diabolical Major Faustino? And will Coot ever stop complaining? Find out, in the animated adventure that’s sure to keep you on the edge of your seat and rolling with laughter: Pinocchio & the Water of Life.

(FINALIST)

Original Film Title: Knot

Director’s Name: Zihan Chen

Writer’s Name: Zihan Chen

Producer: Zihan Chenib

Country of Origin: United Kingdom

Country of Filming: United Kingdom

Language: Mandarin Chinese

Runtime: 4 minutes 44 seconds

Film Description:

The story is my personal experience which is about a girl’s life in a boarding school, until one day she gets accused by her teacher of stealing a classmate’s glasses. At the same time, she feels a lack of trust from her mother, which leads to a long period of self-doubt.

(HONORABLE MENTION)

Original Film Title: Saleem

Director’s Name: Cynthia Madanat Sharaiha

Writer’s Name: Cynthia Madanat Sharaiha, Mirna Jadoun, Shadi Sharaiha, Dolly Dib, Majd Matalka, Leen Abu Lail, Nadia Husseini, Bana Nasser

Producer: Shadi Sharaiha, Nadia Husseini, Dolly Dib

Country of Origin: Jordan

Country of Filming : Jordan

Language: Arabic

Runtime: 1 hour 30 minutes 26 seconds

Film Description:

After being forced to leave everything behind, Saleem, a young boy carrying the burden of his past, stumbles upon a treasure map and embarks on a life-changing adventure!

(FINALIST)

Original Film Title: Poncho And Lefty in Chrome Don’t Get Ya Home

Director’s Name: Matt Jacobs

Writer’s Name: Matt Jacobs

Producer: Matt Jacobs, Ari Rubenstein

Country of Origin: United States

Country of Filming : United States

Language: English

Runtime: 6 minutes 50 seconds

Film Description:

Set against the Sonoran Desert, two biker buddies, Poncho and Lefty, embark on a journey to a remote saloon. Poncho, cruises on his weathered, rusty chopper, a testament to years of adventures and stories etched into its frame. Lefty, his riding companion, boasts a gleaming, polished chrome machine, the embodiment of style and class. As the two go to leave, Lefty doesn’t miss a chance to poke some fun at the state of Poncho’s ride. Lefty is pleased with himself until his own bike refuses to start. Initially flustered, he soon finds himself in a dilemma as he tries everything to get his motorcycle running again. With each failed attempt, he becomes more and more frustrated and what should have been a simple departure turns into a comedic nightmare. ”Chrome Don’t Get Ya Home” is a heartwarming and humorous tale of self-discovery, and the wisdom that sometimes, the simplest solutions are the most effective… “keep it simple stupid.”

(FINALIST)

Original Film Title: BE

Director’s Name: Chonger Wu

Writer’s Name: Chonger Wu

Producer: Chonger Wu

Country of Origin: Australia

Country of Filming : Australia

Language: English

Runtime: 2 minutes 19 seconds

Film Description:

‘Our existence may be merely a coincidence, but it is a great fortune.’ BE is a 2D non-linear narrative animation exploring the complex relationship between the real and virtual worlds. Using the magical blue tones and dreamlike visuals inspired by modern artists like Chagall, it seeks to soothe the deep-seated human anxiety about the unpredictability of the objective world.