Short Fuse

Curated specifically for our VIFF Ignite high school series, this special shorts program showcases innovative and eye-opening animated and experimental short films from across Canada. These works were each selected for the ways they inspire new approaches to the animated, moving image on screen and their visually evocative storytelling. In many cases, they re-imagine compelling perspectives, family histories, memories, and formative life experiences with unique animation styles and techniques. These stories take us from the memories of boarding school in China during the Cultural Revolution to the snowy fields of the Canadian prairies, to imaginary parallel worlds. Together they offer a mesmerizing and emotional collection of diverse animated stories unlike anything many students have ever seen.

This short film program includes the following films:

Swallow Flying to the South
Mochi Lin, BC (18 min)

During the Cultural Revolution in 1976, 5-year-old Swallow is abandoned at a public boarding preschool in central Beijing. When the persimmons are ripe, Swallow masters how to cry, but doesn’t forget how to fly. The animation style is delicate, fragile, and unique, creating a visually captivating look and feel, while telling a story that evokes empathy and compassion. Inspired by Mochi Lin’s mother’s real life story .

Two One Two
Shira Avni, QC (5 min)

Created by award winning filmmaker Shira Avni this deeply intimate, handcrafted, experimental animated documentary explores neurodiversity, the loving bond between mother and child, and the process of (un)becoming a two-headed monster. It’s a beautiful, touching ode to the close relationships between parents and young children as they explore the world together.

Return to Hairy Hill
Daniel Gies, QC (18 min)

Over ten years in the making, Return to Hairy Hill is an atmospheric, fictional tale of family folklore, inspired by a collection of memories about a story passed down through filmmaker Daniel Gies’ family. The look and feel of the film is mysterious, eery, delicate and fascinating, capturing the emotions of the characters and the wintery, wild setting in an evocative way. The result is a truly memorable achievement in animated filmmaking.

Where Rabbits Come From
Colin Ludvic Racicot, QC (15 min)

In a grey, dystopian rabbit society, a widowed father rabbit glimpses a better life for his daughter after the mysterious disappearance of her mother. He then bravely challenges the authorities by trying to infuse an ounce of wonder and magic into his daughter’s life, and show her more is possible in their life than what meets the eye. A story of bravery, resilience, love and hope in the face of darkness.

Two Apples
Bahram Javahery, BC/Yukon (10 min)

When a young woman leaves her homeland in search of a different future, she brings with her a single memento from her past: a ripe apple studded with fragrant cloves. A true labour of love, this is a tender film delivered in a richly innovative, hand drawn animation style.

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