In this collection of short films for children and their families, cute animals and inquisitive insects spring to life in vibrant stories. Characters learn about kindness, curiosity, and heart as they defeat negativity and overcome bullying by working together—with a dose of magic and explosions for good measure! Find out why this is one of the most popular sections of Show Me Shorts.

Run Time: 61 min

Best for: ages 7-12 years

Rating: G

First Haircut!

Animation, 6m, United States

A shaggy puppy is heading to the groomer for her first haircut. But wait, there is a problem: the puppy is terribly fearful!

Dir/Writ: Ivo Kos

Prod: Juck Somsaman

Grounded

Animation, 4m, NZ

As dawn breaks, a loveliness of ladybirds takes to the sky, all except Bug, who is left behind and unable to fly.

Dir/Writ/Prod: Chris Callus

Writ/Prod: Adam Reynolds

They

Animation, 8m, United Kingdom

As townsfolk rage in their fog of negativity, our hero and his dog aim to encourage a return to better days!

Dir/Writ: Renée Zellweger

Writ: Paul Smith

Prod: Tora Young

Lemonade

Comedy, 10m, NZ

In the cutthroat business world of lemonade stands, sister-and-brother dream team Suzy and Jack become bitter rivals as they chase success and sweet profits.

Dir/Writ/Prod: Logan Sutherland

Prod: Jennifer Onyeiwu

Bug’s Story

Animation, 11m, Norway

A story about bullying and the friendship between two little outcasts: a clumsy caterpillar boy and an unpopular beetle girl.

Dir/Writ/Prod: Natalia Malykhina Bratli

Seedlings

Animation, 9m, NZ

In a lush forest, three young seedlings, Aro, Hunu and Mo, prepare for the ceremonial moment that will allow them to plant themselves and grow into mighty trees.

Dir: Seung-Woo Hong

Writ: Emilie Hope, Mark Joyce

Prod: Kelsey O’Hagan, David Sowry

ChikaBOOM!

Animation, 9m, United States

Chika Batstone is an aspiring young magician whose curiosity accidentally unleashes Kaboom, a chaotic magical creature, into the heart of New York City.

Dir/Writ/Prod: C. Craig Patterson

Prod: Benjamin Michel, Kacie Lehner, Alyssa Katalyna, Ben Lock, Marisa X Castro