Looking for some inspiration or just fancy dodging work for half an hour? In either case, here are ten great short CG films, some old, some new, for your delectation.

Tim Tom

A typically bonkers and lighthearted French animation created by Romain Segaud and Christel Pougeoise in 2002, with a fabulous score to boot.

The Deadline

One of Aardman Animation’s earliest forays into CG, a beautifully short but deadly funny examination of the peril that faces every animator.

Wild Dogs

Cat Hicks’ graduation animation from Ringling may sport an overly familiar visual style – very Pixar – but also features some superb acting and timing.

Oktapodi

More French exuberance, which featured at last year’s Siggraph animation festival and which contains possibly the best octopus fight ever filmed.

Ryan

If you haven’t yet seen Chris Landreth’s seminal film, a) why the hell not? and b) watch it now. And if you have it, watch it again and wonder.

Please Say Something

A recent award winner at Annecy, David O’Reilly’s breakneck animation(s) demands concentration and a twisted sense of humour.

Oceansize

There may not be a whole lot of originality in this film by four Supinfocom students, but it shows impressive ambition and artistry.

Powerless

Fairtytale visuals and a subtle use of lighting enrich this dialogueless student film. It’s just a shame the story isn’t a little stronger.

World Builder

Bruce Branit, co-creator of the infamous film 405, goes all schmaltzy on us in another live action/effects extravaganza.

Red Rabbit

Enormous rabbit action in this lengthy short from German artist Egmont Mayer. Is it a metaphor? Or just, y’know, a big rabbit?

Ed Ricketts