Slower Animals

Captions provided by CCTubes – Captioning the Internet! 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.
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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