Synopsis:
The Explainer Series – A series of animated films explaining brain development and illustrating the science behind social and emotional development in early childhood. This film unpacks a concept called attunement. In attuned conversations, adults notice a child’s emotional state, name what they are feeling and help them to manage these feelings. The film also describes other ways adults can talk to babies and young children about emotions and how this supports development. This film was illustrated by Alec Doherty, animated by Plastic Horse and produced by Grand Matter.
- Year:
- 2025
- Country:
- United Kingdom
- Running time:
- 3 min.
- Technique:
- 2D Animation, Hand-drawn Animation, Mixed media
- Production type:
- Professional
- Animators:
- Alec Doherty, Plastic Horse
- Production:
- Grand Matter
- Distribution:
- Centre for Early Childhood
- Tags:
- Educational, Mental health, Relationships, Love, Calming, Non-violent
- Audience:
- Adults
-
The Explainer Series: How we grow an emotionally healthy brain
2025 Adults 4 min
The Explainer Series – A series of animated films explaining brain development and illustrating the science behind social and emotional development in early childhood. This film explains describes the rapid development that happens in early childhood. It explains how early relationships, surroundings and experiences shape development and can have lasting effects throughout life. This film was illustrated by Jasmine Hortop, animated by Real Good Liars and produced by Making Pictures.
- Documentary
- Family
-
The Explainer Series: Managing big feelings together
2025 Adults 2 min
The Explainer Series – A series of animated films explaining brain development and illustrating the science behind social and emotional development in early childhood. This film explains a concept called co-regulation. Co-regulation involves supporting another person when managing big feelings and returning to a state of calm. When adults co-regulate children, they help a child deal with positive or negative feelings that might otherwise be overwhelming. This enables the child to return to a state where they can think clearly, feel safe and respond to the world around them in helpful ways. This film was illustrated by Brian Rea, animated by Delcan & Co and produced by Dutch Uncle.
- Family
-
The Explainer Series: Back and forth interactions
2025 Adults 3 min
The Explainer Series – A series of animated films explaining brain development and illustrating the science behind social and emotional development in early childhood. This film unpacks a concept called contingent responsiveness (also known as serve and return). Contingent responsiveness is what happens when an adult notices a baby or child’s cue or signal and responds in a way that is sensitive and appropriate. This is a central part of nurturing care. This film was illustrated by Haley Tippmann, animated by Henrique Barone and produced by Oskar Illustration.
- Documentary
- Family
-
The Explainer Series – A series of animated films explaining brain development and illustrating the science behind social and emotional development in early childhood.
- Documentary
- Family
-
The Explainer Series: Creating space for connection
2025 Adults 3 min
The Explainer Series – A series of animated films explaining brain development and illustrating the science behind social and emotional development in early childhood. This film explains a concept called pacing. When we pace our interactions with children, we adjust our tempo and slow down to help them to process information and respond. Pacing creates space and time for meaningful connection, giving the child greater opportunity to engage positively in an interaction or activity. This film was illustrated by Owen Gildersleeve, animated by Plastic Horse and produced by Grand Matter.
- Documentary
- Family
-
The Explainer Series: Supporting early learning
2025 Adults 3 min
The Explainer Series – A series of animated films explaining brain development and illustrating the science behind social and emotional development in early childhood. This film explains a concept called scaffolding. Scaffolding occurs when adults support children’s learning by helping them to do something for themselves, adjusting the level of guidance and support provided, led by the child’s needs and abilities. This supports the child in mastering new skills. This film was illustrated by Vicki Turner, animated by Plastic Horse and produced by Grand Matter.
- Family
- Pre-school
-
Lay Me Down
2024 16+ 5 min
by Emmanuelle Mohnblatt, Marie Deboissy, Sébastien Kirszenblat
Henry meanders through Wyrmlands, the remains of England consumed by the giant worm of capitalism. Amidst his despair, he recalls an act of kindness. As a child, innocent and loving, he saved an injured worm. Perhaps salvation is possible if he can reconnect with his inner child.
- Drama
- Music Videos
- Tragedy
- Fantasy
- Experimental
- Non-narrative
-
I Kiss the Night
2022 13+ 3 min
by Gaia Alari
The night is the place where characters move, and images rhythmically dissolve from faces to the night stars, in a smooth transition between images and words.
- Drama
- Music Videos
- Abstract
- Experimental
-
Interview with Tomek Popakul (16th Animateka)
2019 All audiences 7 min
Interview with Tomek Popakul who took both the Grand Prix and the ;DSAF Audience Award with Acid Rain at 16th Animateka.
- Making of
- Experimental
- Drama
- Music Videos
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Berry Sakharof – Yareach (Moon)
2016 16+ 2 min
by Amit Trainin, Tom Kouris
- Drama
- Music Videos
- Experimental
- Non-narrative
-
Every Child
1979 7+ 6 min
by Eugene Fedorenko
This animated short follows an unwanted baby who is passed from house to house until he is taken in and cared for by two homeless men. The film is the Canadian contribution to an hour-long feature film celebrating UNESCO’s Year of the Child (1979). It illustrates one of the ten principles of the Declaration of Children’s Rights: every child is entitled to a name and a nationality.
- Drama
- Comedy
- Tragicomedy
- Family
-
Ashen Sun
2024 16+ 13 min
by Camille Monnier
Under a scorching sun, Charlie is bored out of her mind and dreams of going to the seaside. But she’s forced to guard a seedy motel with her cousin Jess, who’s slumped in her deckchair. The two teenagers don’t get along and bicker at every opportunity. On the radio, the monotone voice of a collapsology researcher predicts the imminent end of the world.
- Drama
- Coming-of-Age
- Tragedy
- Abstract
- Experimental