the LARVAL EDITION

march 7–8, 2025 siff cinema uptown




2025 Program


The 2025 inaugural “Larval Edition” showcased 23 local and international short films, a new and a retrospective feature, an Artist Alley of local artists, and mixers for audiences and artists to connect.

Opening Spotlight:
Boys Go to Jupiter & Miisufy


March 7 | 7:00PM | SIFF Cinema Uptown | 101 min.

Shorts I:
Everything Animated All at Once!


March 8 | 12:00PM | SIFF Cinema Uptown | 77 min.

Shorts II:
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea


March 8 | 3:30PM | SIFF Cinema Uptown | 86 min.

Closing Retrospective:
Allegro non troppo & Gina Kamentsky's Pinocchio in 70mm


March 8 | 7:00PM | SIFF Cinema Uptown | 88 min.

2025 Awards

The 2025 Sea Slug Animation Festival was juried by Stefan Gruber, Britta Johnson, and Isabella Von Ghoul.



Grand Jury Prize – Noggin
Animation has a unique ability to turn emotional experiences inside out and help us illustrate the motions involved in intricate inner experiences. This film was one many of us watched again and again and felt moved each time. An extraordinary stand out, Noggin by Case Jernigan is a powerful animated film we found deserving of Grand Prize recognition.

Best in the Pacific Northwest – Hunky Dory
We felt that this visual lullaby really captured a Pacific Northwest vibe, from its cloudy textures to its ever-changing blend of natural and human technology. The film additionally elevates both the lowly index card and the humble morph to new heights.

Best Student Film – Bunnyhood
This tour-de-force from a unique new voice in animation took our breath away. The stark drawing style, personal and imaginative storytelling, and dynamic sound design and edit left us clutching our midsections in terror, wondering what our appendices would say to us if they could speak.

Special Jury Mention (Stefan Gruber) – A Festa
A Festa is an animated prism of color and thoughts delivered in a drawn style with a layered in taste of strata-cut, a technique that gives that wow factor. In this film’s case, it grants an extra level of meaning. This spelunking tour of the inner perspective of an elder keeping peaceable watch over the social dynamics of a party shows that animation can shine a light into philosophical ideas that otherwise can’t be photographed.

Special Jury Mention (Britta Johnson) – Gina Kamentsky’s Pinocchio in 70mm
I found Gina Kamentsky’s Pinocchio in 70mm to be a rich and wildly entertaining work. I especially enjoyed the rollicking edit and soundtrack and the way the film playfully pushes the storytelling limits of direct animation and collage. I also found the film’s gender transition allegory both delightful and deeply moving.

Special Jury Mention (Isabella Von Ghoul) – How Was Your Day?
How Was Your Day? is a film that reminds me so much of the joy of childhood creativity, a combination of Pee-wee’s Playhouse, Blue’s Clues, Adventure Time, and Chowder. This student has a fresh and deeply original voice and I'm sure she is going to be one of the bright new stars of animation. I look forward to what she makes next.

Audience Award – A Kind of Testament
This visionary nightmare of the internet age wowed our head of programming in 2023 when they discovered it via Annecy. Its confident treatment of design, sound, and humor whisk the viewer on a truly bewildering and unpredictable journey. And never has a character been so well-dressed while being so distraught! We’re delighted our audiences were as taken as we were by this animated marvel.

The 2025 Sea Slug Animation Festival prizes were presented with support from Northwest Film Forum.

2025 Events

Free to enter and open to the public.

𖦹 Artist Alley 𖦹
March 8 1:45–3:45PM SIFF Film Center
Shop prints, comics, stickers, lil’ guys, and more from local animators and artists. All ages.

𖦹 Anim-Mixer 𖦹
March 8 5:30-6:30PM Seattle Center Armory
Meet animators and animation fans over good tidings and doodling activities. All ages.

𖦹 WRAP PARTY 𖦹
March 8 9:00PM– Solo Bar & Eatery
Toast the Larval Edition! 21+ only




2025 Sponsors