How to discover quality films for children?
Why are graduation films so original?
Animation and film schools are an indispensable source for discovering original films.
Visit regularly the websites of animation schools, production companies, as well as following the news of children's film festivals, offers the opportunity to discover new short films suited to young audiences.
Many graduation films are fantastic! Making a graduation film is a privileged moment for a young director — students often have a full year to write the script, design the characters and sets, and make a short film without commercial constraints.
The direction and visual worlds of graduation films are often highly original and rival big-budget productions.
© Animation schools.
Personally, we love the films from La poudrière — the most original in our view, often made in 2D animation with very poetic worlds. MOME Animation in Hungary and the Tokyo University of the Arts too.
A graduation film — a privileged moment
We also have a particular fondness for School-Studio SHAR in Russia, whose films plunge us into deeply moving worlds.
For parents and prospective students looking for serious training at a quality animation school, visit the RECA association website, which lists 25 French animation schools.
Listed in alphabetical order.
Bristol School of Animation has a national and international reputation for the quality of its teaching.
Watch: The Big Top
The California Institute of the Arts, founded in 1961 by Walt Disney. Alumni include Brad Bird, Tim Burton, John Lasseter, Henry Selick, Michel Ocelot.
Watch: An Object at Rest
German film school founded in 1954 in Babelsberg.
Watch: Cocoon Child
Animation division of the Baden-Württemberg Film Academy, founded in 1991 in Ludwigsburg.
Watch: Rollin' Safari
On the savanna, zebras drink peacefully — until an unwelcome intruder disrupts the calm.
36 s
▶ Watch the filmDivision of the Faculty of Fine Arts at Concordia University, founded in 1976 in Montréal.
Watch: Blobby
Watch: L'école des ruisseaux
A little girl experiences an aquatic adventure, following a river all the way to the sea.
1 min 54 s
▶ Watch the filmWatch: Jinxy Jenkins, Lucky Lou
Watch: Grandma's Hero
Lulu has just graduated from the Hero Academy and finally has a chance to prove he is a real hero.
7 min 17 s
▶ Watch the filmWatch: Rain and Fish
On a rainy day, a little boy waits for the bus and lets his imagination wander.
4 min 47 s
▶ Watch the filmWatch: Lunette
The hero of this magical journey is a wolf. But what is he carrying with him?
3 min 32 s
▶ Watch the filmThere are many quality schools and our selection is not exhaustive, but here is a list of animation schools we regularly consult to discover new short films suitable for young audiences.
Listed in alphabetical order.
Founded in 2004, ArtFX is an animation and visual effects (VFX) school.
Watch: Keiro
Growing up is good; growing up with a fifteen-metre friend is even better.
3 min 34 s
▶ Watch the filmFounded in 1984, the Department of Arts and Image Technologies at Paris 8 University offers artistic and technical training in computer-generated imagery.
Watch: Le vilain petit carré
Founded in 1937 in Lyon, specialising in design and entertainment professions.
Watch: Destiny
Founded in 1989, this higher school of applied arts produces quality films — 2D and 3D short films.
Watch: Bococo
Founded in 1984 in Paris, with 5 campuses: Paris, Bordeaux, Aix-en-Provence, Nantes and Lille.
Watch: Piok
The meeting of a hen and a strange creature almost certainly from another planet.
3 min 34 s
▶ Watch the filmFounded in 1984. Alumni include Benoit Chieux and Rébecca Dautremer.
Watch: Sur les rails
Founded in 1999, its pedagogy focuses on learning fundamentals through observing the living world.
Watch: Efollia
Founded in 2017, a non-profit association of general interest.
Watch: Champion
Founded in 1985, basing its training on the fundamentals of drawing.
Watch: Toolun
Founded in 1999, the School of Animation Cinema Crafts focuses on both digital and traditional tools.
Watch: Poussière
250 years of history, the National School of Decorative Arts. Experimental films using multiple techniques: stop-motion, cut-out, pixilation, 2D and digital 3D.
Watch: Volda
Founded in 1993, with campuses in Montpellier, Toulouse, Nantes, Lyon and Montréal.
Watch: Forward march
Founded in 1963 in Paris. In 2009, the film Oktapodi was nominated for an Oscar. Alumni include Eric Bergeron and Pierre Coffin (Despicable Me, Minions).
Watch: Floating in my mind
International private school founded in Paris in 2001. Montréal campus since 2012.
Watch: Un Amour Deux Bêtes
Founded in 1999 by Jacques-Rémy Girerd, director and founder of the Folimage studio. Alumni include Benjamin Renner (Ernest & Celestine) and Rémi Chayé (Long Way North).
Watch: Les talons rouges
Founded in 2007, part of the Angoulême Image Campus (Pôle image Magélis).
Watch: Renard
Graphic design and animation school based in Le Soler (Perpignan) and Barcelona.
Watch: Primitive
Founded in 1986, present in 5 cities: Paris, Rennes, Nantes, Strasbourg and Bordeaux.
Watch: Bancal
Supinfocom opened a second school in Arles in 2000, which became MOPA in 2015.
Watch: Voltige
Founded in 2004 in the Plaine Images of Tourcoing, covering all professions in video games and animation cinema.
Watch: Une lumière dans la nuit
Founded in 1996. Studio Mercier, a member of the "Films pour enfants" association, introduces primary-school children to animation professions. Contact us!
Watch: Max veut faire du ski
Founded in 1988, opened a school in Pune (India) in 2008.
Watch: RIBA
A cat dreams of becoming a pianist until the day he meets a mysterious friend who will take him on a magical journey.
6 min 12 s
▶ Watch the filmAre you a teacher at an animation school? Do you think your graduation films are suitable for young children? Submit your short films to us!
