Cartoons Underground 2025 at *SCAPE's The Ground Theatre

Southeast Asia’s largest independent animation festival returns for its 14th edition.

Since 2012, Cartoons Underground has been uncovering bold Asian animated stories and connecting filmmakers, students, and industry leaders. This year, we’re taking over SCAPE Ground Theatre with our most ambitious programme yet—two full screenings and an afternoon of industry sharings and dialogue designed to inspire and challenge.

Get ready for an exciting evening of films, delish food and yummy drinks from our F&B vendors, music and other booths and experiences to discover!

Festival Highlights

Saturday, 25 Oct

• Industry Event: Animating Tomorrow - Futureproofing Creativity | 2:30 – 5:30 PM

Saturday, 1 Nov

• Afternoon Programme - Programme A| 4 PM
• Evening Programme - Programme B, with SG Directors Q&A & Golden Durian Awards | 6 PM onwards

Watch daring short films from around the world, go behind the scenes with directors in live Q&As, and uncover the struggles and triumphs of making animation today. Beyond the big screen, meet filmmakers, chat with fellow fans, explore festival booths, and cast your vote for the Audience Choice Award at the Golden Durian.

More than just screenings, CU 2025 is where stories, ideas, and communities come alive.

Why it matters

Cartoons Underground has long been a launchpad for new talent—including Singapore’s discovering first BAFTA and Emmy award-winning animation directors. Attending CU 2025 means discovering tomorrow’s groundbreaking storytellers today, while joining the region’s most passionate community of animation creators and fans.

Admission is ticketed so get your tickets early!

Seating is on a first come first served basis.

Festivities begin at 3:30 pm for the first screening. Come early to reserve your seat.

Get your early bird tickets by 5 October!

Our Festival Pass will give you access to our Programme 1 Screening, our Programme 2 screening, followed by a Director Q&A and the Awards Ceremony.

• Festival Pass - Early Bird - 10% - $31.50
• Festival Pass - $35
• Festival Pass - Student - $25
• Programme A Screening - $15 (Access festival hall until 5:30 PM)
• Programme B Screening - $25 (Access festival hall after 5:30 PM)
• CU Champion - Festival Pass + Merch - $55
• Group Buy - 5x Festival Pass - 10% - $157.50

PLEASE NOTE: This is not a child-friendly event. IMDA Rating expected to be NC16

Follow us on our socials for more information on workshops, masterclasses and other industry opportunities leading up to the festival!

Scroll down to view this year's festival trailer and FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE FULL PROGRAMME!

CARTOONS UNDERGROUND 2025 Film Programme

This year, our Official Selection is bigger than ever—16 international gems and 4 bold Singapore student films! For the first time, we’re splitting the programme into two screenings, which simply means: more stories, more styles, and more chances to fall in love with animation.

From surreal daydreams and memory trips to wild transformations and fantastical creatures, these films dive into what it means to be human—messy, magical, and ever-changing. Fresh from top festivals like Annecy, Locarno, and SXSW, they bring a kaleidoscope of voices and visions that will make you laugh, wonder, and maybe even see the world a little differently.

Check out our full 2025 programme here!

About the festival

Championing Southeast Asia’s boldest voices, Cartoons Underground showcases award-winning and rising animation talents shaping the region’s stories.

This community-driven festival was founded in 2012, and has grown through crowd-funding and artists’ contributions. The festival has expanded to a community of over 1000 members, not limited to the arts and animation community in Singapore.

www.cartoonsunderground.com

Grab your tickets now! Early bird pricing available until 5 October!

Our Festival Pass will give you access to our Programme 1 Screening, our Programme 2 screening, followed by a Director Q&A and the Awards Ceremony.

• Festival Pass - Early Bird - 10% - $31.50
• Festival Pass - $35
• Festival Pass - Student - $25
• Programme A Screening - $15 (Access festival hall until 5:30 PM)
• Programme B Screening - $25 (Access festival hall after 5:30 PM)
• CU Champion - Festival Pass + Merch - $55
• Group Buy - 5x Festival Pass - 10% - $157.50

PLEASE NOTE: This is not a child-friendly event. IMDA Rating expected to be NC16