The selection of cartoons boasts a set of very extravagant and unexpected storylines. There is, for example, a philosophical drama, portraying a werewolf hunted by an ever-increasing number of ghosts. Another psychological piece shows the audience the difficult relationships between cats and mice in the distant future.

The event’s organisers say their aim is to show audiences what some of the world's best animators are capable of.

“On the one hand, [these cartoons] present animation as a field. We try to have a diverse selection. But they all have to grab you. In the first seconds you have to be moved or touched,” Yvonne van Ulden, Klik programme director, told RT.

Animation is all about creating the illusion of movement through rapid sequences of artwork or model positions. Some animators use plasticine, others prefer computer graphics or drawings, but it all works rather like flick books for children.

This does not mean, however, that animation is aimed at kids only.

“Animation still has the image as a medium for children. But if you look through the whole history, you’ll see that animation is a medium through which you can express all kinds of messages,” said Yvonne.

The festival is touring other cities in Russia before returning to Moscow on St Valentines Day. The Klik team has big plans, hoping to animate mass interest in this rapidly growing art form.

“It's a great place to be, because people here love animation and, especially, short programmes of the short films we're bringing combined into one programme. So we get a great response,” Jiek Weishut, Klik executive director, told RT. “And, of course, for us it’s great to show what we organise in Amsterdam and bring it across the borders.”