Starling

A little star spirit comes down to earth on her birthday to visit the place where she once lived, and to see those she loved for a final time.  However, being just a little star, she is easily blown off course and must navigate her way through the busy streets of Istanbul before time runs out for her.  A simple premise – and of course, that is often what makes the most engaging animation so effective – but one which will, I assure you, have you reaching out for a tissue or five. 

Hats off to director Mitra Shahidi, who I think has created something quite remarkable here. Winner of the Tribeca Film Festival 2023 award for Best Animated Short, this film also received the Audience Award for Best Animated Short at the Austin Film Festival. It has since been recognised at numerous other festivals, cementing its reputation as a critically acclaimed and widely celebrated animated short.

One small thing – I did think that the animation was going to be about a bird when I first came across this!  However, that’s a tiny, miniscule little gripe and I feel almost guilty bringing it up, even.  Enjoy this animated short – it’s special.

Watch Starling below.