Cats Cradle is inspired by the Greek myth Ariadne and her journey from Crete to Naxos. Like The Fates, she is associated with the symbol of the thread, which she uses to help Theseus kill the Minotaur. Central to Ariadne’s story is her deification, her transcendence from mortal to divine through a union with Dionysus. By revisiting this ancient myth, Cats Cradle invites viewers to reflect on how they navigate their own inner labyrinths of identity and transformation.
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1. What motivated you to make this film?
I was preparing for a solo art exhibition called Date with Hermes: Journeying between Dreams and Reality for the Vorres Museum in Greece (2024). The curator, Dr. Katerina Pizania, suggested I create an animation to connect the Greek myth themes. While the show focused on large-scale paintings and works on paper, the film became a companion piece to my series on Ariadne and Dionysus.
2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
I only had two months to develop the animation for the first exhibition, so the first version was more of an “outline.”Completing the film took a year and a half.
3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Intense!
4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
Time! As a full-time Associate Professor at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, I worked on the animation during weekends with invaluable help from students and alumni.
5. There are 5 stages of the filmmaking process: Development. Pre-Production. Production. Post-Production. Distribution.
What is your favorite stage of the filmmaking process?
Production. More broadly, I always find creation to be the most rewarding stage of my artistic process.
6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
Once I gained a solid foundation in painting and drawing, expanding into other mediums made sense. My first animation was 3D (Unity) for a musical performance. After that I found other ways to merge drawing with time-based media.
7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
It’s a tie between The Wizard of Oz and Little Women.
8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
Animation and time-based media are a new medium for me. Cats Cradle is my fourth animated 2D film, and I realize that my strategies may require depth. Feedback is essential to inform what changes I should make and if I should submit the film to other festivals.
9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
Excellent. I joined when I released my first two films, Above the Deluge and In the Fray, both of which had strong festival runs. Film Freeway made my work visible to directors worldwide, though the volume of requests eventually became overwhelming. Overall, it has been a worthwhile investment.
10. What is your favorite meal?
Any meal cooked for me!
11. What is next for you? A new film?
Yes. I am gathering resources for a new project inspired by wildlife and nature around the Krydor Redberry Lake region in Saskatchewan. I have collected footage, particularly of migratory birds, and while the story is still emerging, I anticipate it will take shape as I animate the opening scenes. My focus will be on experimenting with representation and abstract imagery through layered videography.
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