Mental Filmness has been blessed with the gift of creative animation over the years. We receive submissions that feature old-school, hand-drawn, 2D art techniques that are laboriously animated for the screen. We also receive, and have featured, some vibrant and impressive animation styles utilizing cutting-edge digital and AI tools. The short film Wings, created by the architect and illustrator Zeynep Cabuk from Turkey, is a stunning blend of these techniques. Wings dazzles the eye with colorful watercolor illustrations that are animated with digital motion tools. The resulting impact is that of a fluid and living pop-up children’s storybook with rolling paper-cut skies and waves, a perfect blend of old and new techniques in visual storytelling.
Wings uses abstract art and sensory perception as a way to enter the world of a child living with autism. Zeynep’s goal was to “explore the spatial and sensory world of autism through the language of architecture—squares, spirals, and patterns—to bridge the gap between isolation and connection.” Beautiful watercolor illustration, a soothing, accepting vocal delivery, and a peaceful lullaby-esque score all help this short about living on the autism spectrum shine. I think it captures the message of neurodivergence and perceiving the world differently in such a way that it could relate to many mental health disorders. One of the things our jury members loved about it was its sense of resilience, one of them insightfully saying that rather than just highlighting the struggles of a neurodivergent child, it gives the child a joyous journey of hope.
You can see Wings opening night, 10/9, at Mental Filmness!
Get your free tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mental-filmness-film-festival-tickets-2000057532921
