DU IZ TAK?
As a tiny sprout unfurls, two damselflies peer at it in wonder. "Du iz tak?" one asks the other, in the private and mysterious language of the insects. This film imagines the dramatic possibilities to be found in even the humblest backyard, and offers a microcosmic view of the unstoppable cycle of life.
Du Iz Tak? is based on the book by Carson Ellis. The film was adapted, directed, and animated by Galen Fott. The musical score was composed and produced by Sarah Hart. The film is produced by Linda Lee, Paul R. Gagne, and Melissa R. Ellard at Weston Woods Studios. Running time is 11:05.
VOICE CAST:
Eli D'Amico — Beetle 3
Sebastian D'Amico — Beetle 1
Burton Fott — Millipede
Galen Fott — First Caterpillar/Icky/Bluefly/Stickbug
Laura Fott — Gnat/Ooky/Hatbug
Sarah Hart — Damselfly 2
Bella Higginbotham — Beetle 2/Hat Caterpillar/Cricket
Evelyn Hipp — Flying Bug
Brian Hull — Damselfly 1/Lizard/End Caterpillar
AWARDS AND SCREENINGS:
Plein la Bobine (France) - Professional Jury Award, Pico Competition
American Library Association - Odyssey Honor (audiobook version)
Milwaukee Film Festival - Kids Jury Honorable Mention
Nashville Film Festival
KLIK Amsterdam Animation Festival
Carrousel international du film de Rimouski, Quebec
Boston International Kids Film Festival
Children's Film Festival Seattle
Brooklyn Academy of Music BAMkids Film Festival
Chicago International Children's Film Festival
KUKI International Short Film Festival for Children and Youth Berlin
Bay Area International Children's Film Festival
Festival Ciné Junior, France
Belmont Family Film Festival (MA)
Bellingham Children's Film Festival (WA)
Festival de Cine Creat Rivas, Madrid
PLAY – Festival Internacional de Cinema Infantil & Juvenil de Lisbon
Filmfest Dresden
Cinemagic International Film and Festival for Young People, Belfast
Environmental Youth Forum, San Rafael CA
Zlín Film Festival, Czech Republic
EarthCare Expo, Urbana IL
REDCAT International Children's Film Festival, Los Angeles CA
Melbourne International Animation Festival
Australian International Animation Festival
ANDkids World Film Festival, Notre Dame IN
Almagro International Film Festival, Spain
Holland Animation Film Festival
Kaboom Animation Festival, Netherlands
Festival International du Film de La Roche-sur-Yon, France
Lesofantenfest, Vienna
Valdivia International Film Festival, Chile
Nikozi International Animation Festival, Georgia
International Film Festival for Children and Youth, Iran
Dell-International Kids Film Festival
La Pellicule Ensorcelée, France
Spatzenkino, Germany
DOK Leipzig
Reggio Film Festival, Italy
Taiwan International Children's Film Festival
International Kids Film Festival Dubai
Los Angeles International Children's Film Festival
Cinema Insuflável, Portugal
New Zealand International Film Festival
Festival Ciné Junior, France
Film Festival della Lessinia, Italy
Kurzfilmfestival Köln, Germany
Brest European Short Film Festival, France
FIN Atlantic International Film Festival, Nova Scotia
Environmental Film Festival Australia
Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, New Zealand
REVIEWS AND PRAISE:
"The tale is imaginatively animated as a hilarious assortment of bugs walk, climb, and slide...Animator/director Galen Fott has deftly adapted Carson Ellis's Caldecott Honor picture book, infusing it with meaning and conveying the joy of discovery...This multilayered and beautifully and thoughtfully designed adaptation encourages inference, creativity, and teamwork and will delight audiences of all ages." — Lonna Pierce, School Library Journal
Images from the film Du Iz Tak? Copyright © 2018 Weston Woods Studios, Inc.
Du Iz Tak? book text and illustrations Copyright © 2016 by Carson Ellis