Inspired by the abundance of incredible animated films coming to Showroom’s screens in 2026, Animation for All is a mini-season running throughout February and March celebrating the bold, beautiful, boundary pushing works. The programme challenges expectations of animation as a childish form of cinema – with films as funny, heartbreaking, and inspiring as any other, you’ll have just as much fun as the kids.
The season opened with special screening of the Academy Award nominated Little Amelie (PG) in collaboration with Sheffield Hallam BA Animation and illustration, introduced by course leader Liam Hall and combined with high standard student shorts produced right here in Sheffield, on Sunday 15 Feb.
Throughout the following week of Half Term, the adorable Little Amelie will continue to grace our screens in both her native French and in English dub for those less able to read with subtitles, including little ones. Little Amelie sees life in 1960s Japan from a 3-year-old Belgian girl who is finding her place in the world.
For a more classic animation style, the same week features Daffy Duck and Porky Pig in the hilarious and nostalgic new Looney Tunes feature, The Day the Earth Blew Up (PG), an introduction to the wacky hand drawn cartoons of your youth for the next generation, styled after 1950s sci-fi movies.
From 23 March, the science fiction continues, with the colourful Arco (PG), another Oscar nominee, which is reminiscent of Japanese anime with a French twist. Two children meet through fate and time travel.
More animated specials arrive as part of our LGBTQ+ History Month, Japan Foundation, and Masters of Cinema presents... programmes, such as the adults-only comedy Lesbian Space Princess (15), new anime The Last Blossom (certificate TBC) and Hungarian surrealist classic The Son of the White Mare (12).
Plus, every Saturday morning at 11am, our Family Time strand will be taken over by selections which will please grown-ups and children alike, showcasing a variety of styles from stop motion (Kubo and the Two Strings on 27 February) to stunning hand drawn images ( Wolfwalkers on 19 February).
It’s a wonderful time of year when the Academy Awards brings the cream of the cinematic crop to the forefront, and this time can also be especially crucial for spreading the word of incredible animated films beyond the eyes of children only – so try something new, and join us to explore Animation for All!
Check out the full Animation for All Programme at: https://showroomcinema.org.uk/festivals/animation-for-all
Isobel Harrop
Assistant Programmer: Young Audiences
Paternoster Row, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 2BX
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