Faculty of Art

Experimental Animation

Ash Woolf

Voices

Voices is a single channel 2D animated short film that illustrates my experience of being misgendered as a non-binary queer individual, the emotions that live under the surface. The film tells the story of a young non-binary protagonist swimming in the ocean as they struggle to grapple with their internal state.

“The film tells the story of a young non-binary protagonist swimming in the ocean as they struggle to grapple with their internal state. Because this film is based on my lived experiences, all the creative choices were made with intention and purpose. Goldfish socially considered docile and friendly, harmless, when in nature smaller fish will eat each other if one finds the other dead. The cicadas is a way to explore transformation and a queer symbol for coming out, expressing one's inner self. Wanting to share my personal experience, as someone that has not medically transitioned, being misgendered constantly, giving an outlet for my own feelings The aim is for this film to be a way for others to see themselves in the character and find connection, either through understanding another's pain or by seeing a version of their own struggles. Give voice to the other side of the trans experience so commonly ignored.”