Cat and Moth
2022 · 7m · UK
Directed by India Barnardo
Genres: animation, comedy, family
A fluffy white cat searches for the most comfortable spot in the universe, only to discover a turbo-charged moth has its eye on the same place. A dialogue-free animated short that cycles through a dazzling range of animation styles, from flat 2D sketches to detailed 3D hyper-realism.
Picked by Zoe
The scouts
Ninety animators cycling through styles for seven minutes of cat-versus-moth coziness. Industrially adorable. Pixar-shaped, Pixar-flavored, will not bruise anyone's brain.
Ninety animators cycling through styles from flat 2D to hyper-realistic CG is a remarkable logistical feat, in the lineage of Disney's Paperman shorts and the collaborative tradition of Love, Death + Robots. Pleasant rather than essential, but the production model is the actual subject.
Cycling through 2D sketches to 3D hyperrealism within seven minutes, made by 90+ animators remotely — the style-shifting is the whole craft thesis, and dialogue-free chase-comedy is the right vehicle for it. The collective production model is half the story.
Reviews
A classic premise given a modern spin thanks to its narrative twist and energetic production. The short quickly proves it's more than just a nostalgic throwback, shifting styles faster than you expect.
A dialogue-free short film and definitely one of the most family and kid-friendly of the animated shorts. The overall feeling after watching is one of pure contentedness.
Festivals
- Vancouver Short Film Festival, Best Animation
- SIGGRAPH Asia, Special Jury Award
- VIEW Conference 2021, Special Achievement Award
- Tees Valley International Film Festival 2022, Best Animation
- MANIFF, Best Animation
- Indianapolis International Film Festival (Indy Shorts)