Directed by Chris Callus
As dawn breaks, a loveliness of ladybirds take to the sky… all except Bug. Left behind and unable to fly, Bug and a sympathetic Spider wrestle against an invisible weight that feels heavier than gravity alone. Told without dialogue, GROUNDED is a bright yet tender animated short about feeling stuck and the quiet power of emotional support.
Chris Callus ↗
Chris is an experienced animator and emerging director with over a decade of work across commercial, corporate and creative projects. Their credits include animating the short film 'Shmeat', which screened at Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival and was selected for 'New Zealand’s Best' at the New Zealand International Film Festival. More recently, Chris animated an official fan-led music video for Ed Sheeran’s song 'Punchline'. As a regular entrant in New Zealand’s 48Hours Film Competition, their animated entries have achieved multiple successes, including 2025’s Grand National Champion film 'Grounded'. Chris has a Bachelor of Design Innovation and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Psychology, with a particular interest in projects that support mental health, neurodiversity and the LGBTQIA+ community.
Annecy International Animation Film Festival (2026) Annecy June 21, 2026 French Premiere Official Selection - Young Audiences France Tribeca Festival (2026) New York June 6, 2026 Official Selection - Whoopi's Wonderful World of Animation United States Zlín Film Festival (2026) Zlín May 29, 2026 Czech Republic Premiere Official Selection Czechia Vista Foundation 48Hours - National / Grand Finals Wellington October 25, 2025 National Grand Champion Winner New Zealand Vista Foundation 48Hours - Regional / Wellington Finals Wellington September 18, 2025 Best Animation Winner New Zealand BAMkids Film Festival (2026) Brooklyn, New York February 7, 2026 North American Premiere Official Selection United States Striped Tale Animation Film Festival (2026) Tbilisi April 18, 2026 Official Selection Georgia IAFF Golden Kuker-Sofia (2026) Sofia May 8, 2026 Official Selection Bulgaria
