Since 1998, the Animation Show of Shows has curated a selection of the best animated short films from the world’s most renowned animation festivals. Initially, the Animation Show of Shows was screened exclusively for animators and directors at major animation studios like Pixar, Disney and DreamWorks. Legendary filmmaker John Lasseter (Toy Story, A Bugs Life, Cars) once said of the festival, “The Animation Show of Shows is the best place to see all the latest and greatest animated short films. You will never be disappointed.” For the first time, this year’s festival is being showcased in select theaters throughout the country.

In Northeast Ohio, the Cleveland Museum of Art will host the 17th Annual Animation Show of Shows this weekend. The CMA’s Morley Hall hosts the festival from 7 to 8:40 p.m. on Friday, March 25, and 1:30 to 3:10 p.m. on Saturday, March 26.

“It has been a personal goal of mine to bring these amazing films to a larger audience and in theaters,” Diamond says. “Normally, it’s just the animation studios, Academy members and festival goers who get to experience these films on the big screen. And through this showcase many more animation and short film lovers will be able to see these gems as they should be. This is a very exciting time for animation film and technology, and this program features many different styles, animation techniques and stories. From LGBT themes to environmental tales to personal stories, this Show of Shows offers something for everyone.”

This year’s Animation Show of Shows includes 11 films created by animators in Australia, France, Ireland, Iran, Russia, Switzerland and throughout the U.S. These animators include seven women directors or co-directors. Some program highlights include Academy Award nominated director Don Hertzfeldt’s latest film, World of Tomorrow, which received more than 20 awards in the last year including grand jury prizes at SXSW and Sundance, as well as Russian Animator Konstantin Bronzit’s film We Can’t Live Without the Cosmos which earned top prizes at Annecy and Animafest Zagreb.

“The museum is pleased to bring the Animation Show of Shows to Cleveland for the first time ever,” says CMA Curator of Film John Ewing. “Though I haven’t seen all the movies in the program, I have seen Don Hertzfeldt’s brilliant, Oscar-nominated ‘The World of Tomorrow.’ It alone is worth the price of admission.”

A complete list of films is available here.

General admission is $9; CMA members, seniors 65 & over and students $7; or one CMA Film Series voucher. Vouchers, in books of ten, can be purchased at the Ticket Center for $70 (CMA members $60).

(Cleveland Museum of Art) 11150 East Blvd. 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org

This article appears in Mar 16-22, 2016.