Strikingly brought to by handcrafted hybrid 3D animation, this Australian animated film is based on the character first created by illustrator Nathan Jurevicius in 2001 that has since gone on to appear in graphic novels, video games and toys. It follows 12-year-old Arkie (Jillian Nguyen), a free-spirited girl with a talent for technology and a tentacle arm. When her adoptive octopus father (Rob Collins) is kidnapped for his prized regenerative abilities by the evil Dr. Maybee (Sam Neill), Arkie sets out on a journey to the dazzling City of Light to rescue him, but soon uncovers answers to questions she never even knew she had.

A simple tale of identity, acceptance and family told with the aid of stunning animation, inventive character design and a starry voice cast (including Tim Minchin, Deborah Mailman and Anna Torv), Scarygirl is a visual treat that will transport you to another world.

In a cramped apartment in Lahore, Pakistan, three generations of the Rana family live together. Under pressure to meet societal expectations, the family’s unemployed youngest son, Haider (Ali Junejo), accepts a gig working at a local erotic dance theatre. Despite telling his family that he is the venue’s manager, he is merely a backup dancer for ambitious transgender starlet Biba (Alina Khan). Soon, Haider finds himself unexpectedly falling for Biba, sparking a complicated love affair that challenges society’s traditions in every way.

Despite winning the Un Certain Regard jury prize at Cannes, director Saim Sadiq’s acclaimed debut feature still caused a huge stir in conservative Pakistan upon its release last year. Fortunately, the country eventually embraced the film, submitting it as their official entry into the Best International Film Oscar race. Intelligent, emotional and delicate – but never exploitative – Joyland offers a story of queer love that deserves to be seen.