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The Death of James film image; cartoon of one boy holding a sick ferret while another boy talks to him

The Death of James

VIFF Short Forum

World Premiere

Two friends grapple with mortality as they are confronted with a dying pet ferret.

 

Supported by

    

Media Partner

Community Partner

Director
Cast

Isaiah Lehtinen, Kyle Bailey, Amanda Brugel

Credits
Country of Origin

Canada

Year

2023

Language

English

Film Contact
Links
18+
14 min
Animation BC Spotlight Comedy Shorts
Look Mom! Production

Credits & Director

Executive Producer

Josh Bowen, Iouri Stepanov, Artem Vasilyev

Producer

Courtney Wolfson

Screenwriter

Ellery Vandooyeweert

ANIM

Marina Patrakeeva

Production Design

Kristoffer Mikkelsen

Sam Chou headshot; The Death of James director

Sam Chou

Sam Chou, a prominent series creator and animation filmmaker from Toronto, first gained acclaim with Crime: The Animated Series (2014) which won Best Series for Adults at the Ottawa International Animation Festival. His collaboration with Mattel led to First Snowfall, showcased at the 2017 Fantasia International Film Festival. VRDLK: Family of Vurdulak (2023) received multiple awards, and he was honored with the Kaj Pindal Award. His latest film, In the Heat (2023), premiered at Annecy and was featured at the Savannah Film Festival.

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