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Manipulate Festival: International Shorts

The International animated shorts programmes celebrate extraordinary animation from around the globe, showcasing a dizzying range of styles, techniques, genres and ideas.

Manipulate Festival: International Shorts

About Manipulate Festival: International Shorts

Our three International animated shorts programmes – including From ‘La Fantasmagorie’ to the Future and Queer Stories – celebrate extraordinary animation from around the globe, showcasing a dizzying range of styles, techniques, genres and ideas. Each event is presented both live in Edinburgh and online for UK audiences.

14th February at 6pm - From ‘La Fantasmagorie’ to the Future [15]
Travel from the very first animated cartoon in 1908 through to some of the most innovative filmmakers working in the present day. This retrospective offers a whistle-stop tour through the rich history of French animation, and explores the ways in which this history continues to influence animators across the French-speaking world today.

15 February at 4pm - On the Edge [15]
From Nova Scotia to Norway, Greenland to Karelia, the short films highlight the fragility of communities and landscapes at the northern edge. Filmmakers explore their natural landscapes, community histories and futures through a wide range of animated techniques and styles.

15 February at 8pm - Queer Stories [18]
Highlighting LGBTQIA+ voices from around the globe in a celebration of queer animation talent, this international animated shorts programme has been co-curated by Manipulate Arts and Sanctuary Queer Arts.


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Other Events at Institut francais d Ecosse or Manipulate Festival

Historical Georgian Dance Classes

Selected dates between 30th September 2025 - 9th December 2025

Join the Edinburgh Quadrille Society and learn dances from the Jane Austen / Bridgerton era at Institut français d'Écosse!

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Coffee & French Conversation

Selected dates between 2nd October 2025 - 4th December 2025

Want to practice your French in an informal setting? Join us at the Institut français d’Écosse for a relaxed morning chat – over a cup of coffee or tea and a croissant or pain au chocolat!

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Paris qui dort + Live musical accompaniment from Aurora Engine

6th December 2025

René Clair’s Paris Qui Dort (1924), also known as The Crazy Ray, is a mischievous early science-fiction gem that turns the City of Light into a playground for surreal misadventure.

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Les Misérables: A theatrical adaptation by Stéphanie Goud

11th December 2025

Join us at the Institut français d'Écosse for a vibrant and heartfelt theatrical adaptation, directed by Stéphanie Goud and inspired by Victor Hugo’s timeless masterpiece “Les Misérables”!

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Ukranian Cinema: The Editorial Office

18th December 2025

The Institut français d'Écosse is screening 'The Editorial Office', a darkly witty new film about truth, corruption, and identity in modern Ukraine.

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The Gemstone Arias in Concert

13th January 2026

Join us for the World Premiere performance of The Gemstone Arias composed by Jay Capperauld with text by Niall Campbell, performed by Rosie Lavery (soprano) and Anna Michels (piano).

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Screening of L’Atalante

23rd January 2026

L’Atalante was the only full-length film made by Jean Vigo before his tragic early death. The film is now considered to be one of cinema’s very greatest works.

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Manipulate Festival: Coffee With Sugar?

4th February 2026 - 5th February 2026

Using thousands of coffee beans, flying candyfloss, biographical fragments, historical sources, video art and live music, ‘Coffee with Sugar?’ is a visually striking performance!

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Manipulate Festival: Size Matters

5th February 2026 - 6th February 2026

Blending puppetry, science, and surrealist theatre, Julia and Mamoru and their puppet doubles explore how time and perception shift with size.

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Manipulate Festival: Don Quixote (is a Very Big Book)

7th February 2026 - 8th February 2026

In his new one-man show, Dik Downey (Green Ginger, Pickled Image, Opposable Thumb) weaves together the crazed delusions of Don Quixote with his own struggle against reality.

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Manipulate Festival: The Wood Paths

9th February 2026 - 10th February 2026

Wood Paths is a celebration of humanity’s endless creativity and our desire to understand, to shape, and to find beauty in the mess.

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Family Afternoon: Let’s play with colours

19th February 2026

Looking for an afternoon of imagination and joy? Don’t miss our Family Afternoon at the Institut français d’Écosse on Thursday 19th February, suitable for ages 3 to 10!

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Screening of Holy Cow (Vingt Dieux)

20th February 2026

Holy Cow is an enchanting first film by Louise Courvoisier that was awarded the 2024 Youth Prize at Cannes’ Un Certain regard competition, as well as the Best First Feature film.

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Concert with the Jen Ewan Band

27th February 2026

Fresh from supporting the legendary Bill Bailey on tour, the Jennifer Ewan Band bring their stirring and richly layered mix of compelling original songs, Swamp Blues and old-time Cajun dance music!

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SPIRITUEUSES – Women and Whisky

6th March 2026

SPIRITUEUSES, a performance by the Âtre Collective, celebrates the often-overlooked role of women in the history of spirit production.

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Screening of Monsieur Lazhar

20th March 2026

An Algerian professor is hired at a Montreal public school to take the place of a professor who died tragically in her own classroom and helps his students overcome their grief.

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Children Show: Paws Up!

21st March 2026

This English adaptation of the famous children’s book by Catharina Valckx ‘PAWS UP!’ is a poetic, interactive and funny show, performed in French and English

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Sponsored Links

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