Portuguese Animated Shorts “Animalusa” at The Roxie (Sept 19-25)

Submitted by the Event Organizer

ANIMALUSA San Francisco: Portuguese animation cinema in the heart of California

From September 19 to 25, North American audiences will be able to discover some of the most creative and vibrant Portuguese animated short films at The Roxie Theater in San Francisco.

After two successful editions in Barcelona, the ANIMALUSA showcase arrives in the United States for the first time, with a program that celebrates the vitality of Portuguese animation and strengthens its presence on the international stage.

Program
The short film block to be screened in San Francisco includes:

• It Shouldn’t Rain Tomorrow, by Maria Trigo
• T-Zero, by Vicente Niró
• The Wide Eyed Girl and the Long Legged Boy, by Maria Hespanhol
• Saudade, Perhaps… (Longing, Perhaps…), by José-Manuel Xavier
• Pietra, by Cynthia Levitan

By being presented in commercial screenings, these works automatically qualify for submission to the Academy Awards, representing a unique opportunity for international recognition of the filmmakers.

Curation
The film selection was carried out by a committee of specialists connected to the fields of animation and cinema:

• Cristina Lima, from the Cinanima Festival
• Luis Miguel Cruz, from Radix Animación
• Diogo Camões, from the Portuguese Film Academy

An international platform for Portuguese animation
Organized by the cooperative O Covil, dedicated to the promotion, training, and distribution of Portuguese animation worldwide, ANIMALUSA San Francisco establishes itself as an annual international launchpad for the best national short films.

“Our goal is to create a bridge that allows Portuguese animation cinema to reach new audiences and contexts, consolidating its place in the international circuit,” emphasizes the O Covil team.

At a time when Portuguese animation is gaining increasing recognition — from its historic Oscar nomination in 2023 to its spotlight at the Annecy Festival in 2024 — ANIMALUSA stands as both a celebration and an invitation to discover new voices, aesthetics, and animated stories.

Practical information
Dates: September 19–25, 2025
Venue: The Roxie Theater
3125 16th Street,
San Francisco, CA 94103

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.