Film identity
Original title: BUG
English title: BUG
Directed by: Ali Masoumi
Year of production: 2024
Running time: 6 min
Category: Short Animated Film, Graduation Film
Techniques used: Multi-plane Camera
Target public: Teens, Adults
Synopsis
A family of three has recently moved in and the little girl inspects the new home with curiosity ,when a small cricket finds its way into their home as a surprise visitor. But with the father’s unexpected reaction, the child’s perspective begins to shift, turning a simple encounter into something far more unsettling
Credits
Director and writer: Ali Masoumi
Producer: Ali Masoumi
A product of: DEFC
Sound designer: Hossein Ghoorchian
Music: Aron Fard
Animator: Ali Masoumi
Puppet making: Maryam Zolfaghari
Costume designer: Maryam Zolfaghari
Props: Mahmoud Masoumi
Character and background design: Ali Masoumi
Editor: Abbas Salarzehi
Poster and logo designer: Arezu Mohammadi
Sabzafrang Film Art Cultural Institute
Animation Studio : 2dpen
Festival and Awards
Following its selection in the Competition category of the 51st Student Academy Awards (Oscars®) in 2024, BUG continued its remarkable international journey, screening at 61 national and international film festivals across 30 countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Croatia, Italy, France, Portugal, Greece, Russia, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Armenia, India, and more. Its festival run includes several Academy Award–qualifying and BAFTA-qualifying festivals, such as the 43rd Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival (USA), the 28th New York International Children’s Film Festival, the 25th Dokufest (Kosovo), and the Listapad Film Festival (Belarus).
Throughout this extensive circuit, BUG has been nominated, selected as a finalist, and awarded in multiple categories. Honors include Best Animation and Best Production at the Baltimore Film Festival (USA), Best Stop Motion at the Florida Independent Filmmakers, Best Animation at the Sanita Film Festival (Italy), Best Animation at Comicon Europe, the Audience Award at the Focus Film Festival in London, Best Animation at the Animur Festival (Russia), and an Honorable Mention for Best Animation at the Tehran International Short Film Festival.
Best Frames
Making of
Technique
The multiplane camera technique involves stacking three to six layers of glass with overlapping surfaces, while the camera is positioned at the top to create depth and a sense of perspective. For character animation, replacement faces are used, with multiple face designs crafted in different sizes to accommodate long shot, close-up, and medium shot. All materials are natural, including wood, fabric, soil
