ELCAF: Delusions

The second of two programmes we've put together for the 5th East London Comics and Arts Festival is a more adult affair, emphasising that cartoons aren't just for kids. Mesmerising, nightmarish or flamboyant, the animated reveries in this programme blur the lines between dream and reality, and plunge us into parallel worlds where anything can happen. Discovered last year thanks to her beautiful film Symphony N°42, Réka Busci confirms her talent with the aptly named Love, Steve Warne’s impressive student film Pombo Loves You tells in stop motion the story of a father forced to confront a heroic but troubled avatar. Kangmin Kim’s 3D printed short Deer Flower turns a family trip into a very peculiar experience, while first prize for exuberance certainly goes to Don’t Tell Mom, Sawako Kabuki’s crazy and colourful musical education film.

Pombo Loves You Dir: Steve Warne (UK 2015 – 12 mins) A distant father is forced to confront a heroic but troubled past life as an 80’s TV show character. Dir: Réka Bucsi (France/Hungary 2016 – 14 mins) A short film describing affection in 3 different chapters, through an impact on a distant solar system. Dir: Kangmin Kim (USA/South Korea 2015 – 7 mins) In the summer of 1992, Dujung, an elementary student, goes to a farm in the suburbs with his parents. While his parents believe the expensive and rare specialty from the farm will strengthen their son’s body, Dujung suffers side effects.

Don’t Tell Mom Dir: Sawako Kabuki (Japan 2015 – 3 mins) A nocturnal education film, designed to help children develop their emotions and expressions, as well as language and physical skills, by enjoying singing and exercising with a big brother. Dir: Alexa Lim Haas, Bernardo Britto (USA 2016 – 6 mins) The true story of a glove that’s been floating in space since 1968. Dir: Lei Lei (China 2015 – 4 mins) Three majong players wait for the last player to show up. They have no choice but to wait and sit silently in tears.

Ruben Leaves Dir: Frederic Siegel (Switzerland 2015 – 5 mins) On his way to work, Ruben is haunted by obsessive-compulsive thoughts: is the front door locked? Is the stove really turned off? As Ruben’s creative mind is invaded by increasingly absurd scenarios, reality and imagination begin to merge.

Manoman Dir: Simon Cartwright (UK 2015 – 11 mins) When Glen attends primal scream class, he releases something from deep within that knows no limits.