Slower Animals

Slower Animals

While aimlessly following a winter goose migration across the American south, a professor slips in and out of childhood memories that all surround a forgotten trauma. This short animated film explores the ways we are shaped; both by what we remember and what we forget. _________________ Story, Sound & Images by John C Kelley, 2022 "In 2015, I somehow convinced the University of Arkansas to give me $800 to aimlessly follow a migration of Canadian snow geese across the southeast corner of the state. Inspired by travel notebooks written by Joan Didion while visiting “the south”, I was moving without much reason – just trying to follow geese, trying to translate the impulse. While in the area, memories of growing up nearby began to surface. Basic truths from childhood: the slowest animals are eaten. Drifting in and out of these memories stirred concern, and a nagging realization that the things I remembered and the things I forgot both ensured that I would grow up to be someone who follows geese for no reason. Eventually I caught up to them – the geese. There were thousands in a field, like a giant white line across the earth." Winner: Best Animated Film - Toronto Arthouse Film Fest Best in Show - Ithaca Experimental Film Fest Jury's Choice Award - Thomas Edison Film Fest Jury's Citation - Sweaty Eyeballs Animation Festival Official Selection: Slamdance Film Festival Shortwave / Slamdance DTLA screening at AGBO Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival London International Animation Festival Athens Digital Art Festival San Diego Underground Film Festival Factual Animation Film Festival Sweaty Eyeballs Animation Festival QLDXR Festival Big Ears Music Festival, Film program Toronto Arthouse Film Festival Ithaca Experimental Film Festival Transient Visions Festival of the Moving Image Twin Rivers Media Festival Thomas Edison Film Festival