The eighth round of the Turku Animated Film Festival kicked off yesterday, Wednesday!

Once again, TAFF presents the boldest, most beautiful, and insightful international short animations from the past two years. Out of over 2200 submitted short films, a total of 23 animations from 23 different countries were selected for the competition categories. In addition to the main competition, there are separate categories for Finnish films and films suitable for younger audiences.

In addition to the competition films, TAFF also features panorama screenings, catering to music and documentary enthusiasts. This year’s TAFF retrospective screening is dedicated to Thomas Renoldner, a member of this year’s judging panel, who has created an impressive experimental film career since the 1980s.

Today, on Thursday 24th, TAFF Pro Forum’s program provides space for the voices of professionals in games and animation, encouraging participants to engage in discussions, experiments, and collaborations. On Friday, 25th, the program shifts its focus to the future, as Jaakko Kemppainen, the regional artist for game art, discusses new technological prospects in digital games and the creative opportunities arising from them. The future theme continues with game designer Jussi Kemppainen, who examines the use of artificial intelligence as a tool for game development and what needs to be relinquished when relying on it.

You can find the entire program of TAFF Pro HERE.

TAFF Junior school screenings have begun as part of the TAFF Junior program. The highly popular school screenings are attended by preschool and primary school students from the Turku area, as well as daycare groups. This year, the most sought-after screenings were fully booked within hours of registration opening. However, during the weekend, the same films can be enjoyed in open and free TAFF Junior screenings for those under 16, providing the whole family with a chance to admire international animation art.

On Saturday, at the TAFF Junior workshop at the Taiteen talo, children and young people can also try their hand at creating animations themselves! Armed with the tips gained from the workshop, aspiring animators can continue their experiments using materials they have at home.

Tomorrow evening, Friday 25.8. around 10 pm, TAFF celebrates Turku Pride Week and, in collaboration with Kirjakahvila, presents the touching and poignant animated documentary “Flee,” which specifically addresses refugee experiences from a queer perspective.

You can find the complete festival timetable and buy tickets to the screening from HERE.

Welcome to the festival, all new and old friends of animation!