Colombian animation artist María Cristina Pérez continues to explore themes of human connection in her expanding portfolio. Her experimental short film “Once in a Body” (“Una vez en un Cuerpo”) was featured in the Perspectives sidebar at the Annecy Animation Festival.
This marks her fourth short film, which she dedicates to her sister. Pérez clarifies to Variety that the film’s narrative about a child protagonist and her teenage sister is purely fictional, though it integrates a blend of personal and observed anecdotes.
The 10-minute experimental drama, created using traditional 2D animation with oil on paper, depicts a heavy-set woman who floats and transforms onscreen. Her voiceover reveals a traumatic experience shared with her sister, and she battles with an enigmatic entity within her while seeking reconciliation over a past incident.
According to Pérez, the film is a tribute not only to her sister but also to the themes of intimacy, loss, and feminine vulnerability as expressed through the body.
In her director’s statement, Pérez reflects on the influence of the body on personal experiences. She describes how the body’s independent life and will necessitate acceptance, connecting this idea to the tension between mind and body and the persistence of certain emotions despite discord.
Pérez is currently working on her first animated feature film, “My Dad the Truck,” slated for a 2028 premiere. The film explores the rebuilding of a fractured relationship between a father and daughter during a journey from the countryside to the city.
Reflecting on her Annecy experience, where “Once in a Body” also contended for the Audience Award, Pérez describes it as incredibly rewarding. She values the festival as a chance to reconnect with the Latin American animation community and the global industry.
Discussing Colombia’s animation scene, Pérez observes it as a young yet rapidly maturing industry. Recent advancements in short film formats have encouraged bold thematic exploration and personal storytelling, alongside innovative aesthetic approaches.
Pérez highlights the growth of academic programs and production companies in Colombia, contributing to a unique and sensitive animation landscape that enhances the country’s international presence.
However, she notes that financial challenges remain. Although Colombia provides various funding initiatives essential for the audiovisual sector, they still fall short for animated projects.
Animation demands more time and a larger, specialized team compared to live-action filmmaking, often leading filmmakers to compromise on creative choices or face project completion issues.
“Once in a Body” was produced by Pez Dorado Animaciones, in partnership with Cartuna.
The Annecy Animation Festival took place from June 21 to 27.
