LoglineDuring a spirit festival, little Ava follows a paper boat and accidentally wanders into a forbidden forest. Finding himself in the world of spirits, the boy confronts a massive creature—an encounter that becomes a test of his courage and his ability to overcome the fear of the unknown.

Target Audience: Ages 6+
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Short Animated Film
Estimated Runtime: ~3 minutes
Execution Technique: 3D Graphics

Ayva’s grandmother is a kind and serene woman, and around her, her grandson always feels warmth and security. She doesn’t scold him for mischief; instead, she gently calms him and knows how to turn everything into a game—for instance, folding an empty envelope into a paper boat to delight young Ayva. At first glance, she seems like any ordinary, caring grandmother, but she holds a secret: long ago, she herself crossed a sacred boundary and visited that very magical forest. She knows more about the spirits than she lets on, which is why she waits so patiently for her grandson to return from his little adventure—as if she already knows where and why he ran off.

The Tiger Spirit—an ancient and mighty guardian of the magical forest, immense and majestic, boasting horns that resemble a musical instrument. Its heavy, distorted sigh on the flute frightens and warns anyone who dares to cross the sacred boundary. Yet, behind its fearsome exterior hides a creature capable of gratitude and tenderness: when Ava pulled a splinter from its horn, the spirit gently sent the boy home along the creek on a paper boat. In its form, strength and vulnerability, menace and kindness converged.

Forest Spirits—mischievous and unseen inhabitants of the sacred grove—greet the intruder with a chorus of laughter and rustling, as if the forest itself is chuckling at them. They delight in frightening and confusing, yet they are not malicious: their laughter is more of a mockery than a threat. When Aiva helps the tiger, their laughter transforms into a beautiful flute melody—the spirits know how to recognize bravery and kindness. They are omnipresent and invisible, accompanying and watching over the hero while remaining mysterious until the very end.

The city of Ayvy—ancient and fairytale-like, with tiled roofs and colorful lanterns. It is surrounded by sheer cliffs. Long ago, humans and spirits lived side-by-side in harmony, but something mysterious happened—and ever since, the spirits inspire fear, and the forest on the outskirts has become forbidden. Adults prefer not to dwell on the past and avoid approaching the sacred boundary, while children are frightened by tales of what resides there. Yet, echoes of former times remain: every home hangs an amulet, a symbol of good fortune stands in the square to which offerings are brought, and superstitious omens are whispered during festivals. Essentially, the city has long since forgotten how to coexist with the spirits—but it has never managed to forget them.

Between the city and the forbidden magical forest lies an ordinary woods—quiet, tranquil, and unremarkable at first glance. Ordinary trees grow here, ordinary birds sing, and you can walk the paths without fear. This woods serves as a natural barrier: to reach the sacred boundary, one must first pass through this forest.

The Magic Forest is a place where everything distorts and becomes enormous in comparison to Ivy: trees tower like skyscrapers, the grass appears like a dense forest, and his paper boat transforms into a real ship. The trees warp, the foliage shimmers in the twilight, forming strange symbols. Glowing flowers bloom everywhere—they burn with a steady blue and red luminescence.