Tehran – Written and directed by Ali Masoumi, Iran’s short animation “Bug” is taking part in the ongoing 24th Ivy Film Festival in Rhode Island, the world’s largest student-run film festival.
The “bugs,” produced by the Documentary and Experimental Film Center (DEFC), examined the lasting effects of parental behavior and responses on child development, and followed the long-term effects of these interactions from childhood to adulthood, Mehr reported.
The 2024 production, the six-minute animation depicts a family of three who have recently moved, with the little girl inspecting her new home with curiosity as little cricket enters their home as a surprise visitor. However, the father’s unexpected response begins to change the child’s perspective, making easy encounters much more unsettling.
The technique used to create animations is a multi-plane camera. It involves stacking 3-6 layers of glass on overlapping surfaces, but the camera is placed at the top to create a sense of depth and perspective. The character animation uses interchangeable surfaces, with multiple face designs created in various sizes to accommodate long, close-up and medium shots. All materials are natural, including wood, fabric and soil.
Annual event held for a weekly event from 2001 to April, Ivy Film Festival is some of the industry’s most acclaimed experts, holding advanced screenings of feature films, panels, keynotes, workshops and masterclasses, culminating with its official selection of short student films, scripts and virtual reality experiences.
In 2016, the Ivy Film Festival expanded its reach to partners with dozens of universities around the world through the Satellite Film Festival, bringing world-renowned official choices to viewers around the world.
This year’s festival edition, released on April 14th, will end on April 20th and will award winners in a variety of categories.
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