Little Journeys is the result of me processing the end of a pretty toxic relationship. The journey the paper boat is on is meant to mirror the relationship I had. A relationship that left me completely drained, until a close friend of mine (credited as “Enti” in the special thanks) helped me out of it.

I specifically chose a paper boat because for me, it represents pure joy and happiness. Paper boats are incredibly simple to make, which is why making them is a common childhood memory and therefore gives off a sense of wonder and innocence. All these traits are things I felt like I had lost during that section of my life, which is why I tried to capture and reclaim them with this film.

The retro-inspired look also wasn’t just chosen because I felt like it. Beyond my lifelong love for retro games and their aesthetic, it also connects back to my childhood. I even asked for a Game Boy Advance for my 10th birthday, years after it had been discontinued! To honor that nostalgia, the entire short film was rendered at 240x160px, the native resolution of the GBA display.

(For a deeper dive into why I love creating in low resolutions, check out my Dither Art page).