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.

TO VIEW/PURCHASE:

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:

WorldFest Houston

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