Sankofa (CalArts Film 2024)

A cashier at store reconsiders his perspective on the importance of clothing after meeting special customers. I hope you find this film enjoyable!
Composer: Mate Satalich / / toastrz_
Sound Designer: Stonelqstudio / / stolentiq_studio
Main Voices:
Vincent Parkes / / circuseater
Anu Ashar / / anusahar
Anya Butler / / meppity
Elaine Dimal / / wahlaine
Ellen McCartney
Gabe Parappa Janisz / / king_kibble
Liz / / eunso0o
Thank you to my wonderful, amazing interviewees (yes, these were real, raw interviews):
Arthur, Anya, Jonah, Liz, Elaine, Tabs, Aniya, Wesley, Rumi, gabe, Ellen, Maridssa, Grant, Ellen, Vince, Faithyn, Lioness-sia, Clara, Anu
Check out more work from me on my website and Instagram!
/ ryoodraws
ryanmesi.com/
Watch other films made by my classmates: • 2024 CalArts Character...

[@professionaldaydreamer]

Your style looks so effortlessly cool. The interviews with real people mixed with the narrative of the shop owner talking to the customers really enhances the message.

[@ryoodraws]

Thank you so much! That means much more than you know wow!

[@treelord6984]

It's so beautiful but candid and real and necessary; some of the conversations were exact thoughts I've had before, like I was watching myself think through different people

[@ryoodraws]

Wow! thank you so much for the kind words and I'm happy you were able to see your own thoughts portrayed in this film :)

[@AndreaPerez-vx1uf]

THE SEBASTIAN PHOTO HAD ME ROLLING 😭😭

[@Sohalia06]

This reminds me of my own line or work. It's just grocery, or that's what it feels like, but the kind of connections you make with customers, the kinds of stories you can be given... It's not *just* grocery, actually...

[@SuperHeroSewing]

The art of portraying the art of listening. So cool.

[@orangegrapesoda5224]

Beautiful and brilliant, both in animation and story. As someone who has never really had a good grasp over their style of self expression this really spoke to me. Thank you for making this.

[@ryoodraws]

Thank you so much! I am so happy to hear that it impacted your thoughts regarding styles of expression! Makes me giddy :)

[@universewithinart2838]

Really beautiful animation yet again. I truly agree with the girl towards the end, her message about nudity, clothing, and how to be free within the brokenness of the world.

[@ryoodraws]

Thank you so much! I am happy your resonated with her-she's an incredible person in real life and I'm happy I was able to capture her thoughts through this film.

[@777Orange7]

This is incredible, everyone living their truth and being unique is so beautiful, and diversity makes the world so colourful🥰

[@ryoodraws]

That was my favorite part of orchestrating these interviews. They're all such lovely people. Thank you!!!

[@rattheman]

I’m in love with this!!! Such a powerful message, it really shows the beauty of diversity!!

[@ryoodraws]

Awww thank you! This means so so much!

[@catinglasses]

My relationship to fashion and clothes has changed a lot over the years and it was fun to see elements of my many varied perspectives coming together, mixed with thoughts I'd never even considered. Not to mention all animated BEAUITFULLY with so many fun characters and outfits!! I loved how you visualized their thoughts, it was all so creative and absorbing. Love it!! Definitely gonna share with some friends to spark conversation (and just to share this beautiful work!!)

[@salomeavilababel4617]

This is just so gorgeous…the conversational quality it has while still having a message is just so beautiful this is probably one of my favorite animations ever

[@ryoodraws]

Omg thank you so much! I am honored that you enjoyed this.

[@ineedumonstataclobbadatder4499]

This reminds me of The Midnight Gospel, and the concept of the free flowing conversation style of that but with multiple people in a shop really is a great way to expand on that concept. It leads to so many concepts thrown around but expanded on really well through the visuals. Love how detailed the visuals are too, amazing work!!

[@morgianaesdeath6316]

this is brilliant !! the dialogues are like an interview style , its intersectionnal, creative, beautiful and the rythm is perfect !

[@ryoodraws]

Thank you for watching and enjoying this! It is truly my honor :)

[@litlleshu1]

THIS MESSAGE IS SO BEAUTIFUL 🥺 your pieces are always such a beautiful balance between message and animation, and a blessing to get to experience :)

[@ryoodraws]

Omg thank you so so much! It's my goal to do that and I'm happy you were able to receive it that way.

[@CabblowStudios]

I love this 😭 - the real voices are everything

[@amandaazortibah4018]

i love this so so much- the art style, the fashion, the interviews, its perfection! the title being sankofa made me click bc its from my culture and its so crazy how her tattoo placement is exactly where i want to get mine but of a different adinkra symbol

[@jamoon1262]

absolutely gorgeous! hope this gets more exposure

[@ryoodraws]

Thank you so much! You are too kind.

[@charlottemabury1164]

This is so underrated! I absolutely love your art style, and all of those outfits looked so cool

[@halidramzan2803]

Vibez. Didn't expect to find Anya here. 😆🚶‍♂️

[@twice-two-times]

This was so fun to watch! You’re transported into each person’s own world, their views on life, how they express themselves, what clothing means to them, all in such a short period of time, and your art is so fluid and detailed. Also, the little chopper necklace at 2:58 made me smile :)

[@tederomero]

love it, love it, love it, love it 10000x i really can't put it into words

[@dawnyamazi891]

Love love love.

[@ryoodraws]

Thank you, Dawn! You are literally the best

[@CR-sc9sp]

l'est génial ce court métrage 🌊🌊

[@SanguineAmaranth]

Completely agree with others - this is so simple and beautiful, effortlessly real. And yet what my brain latched onto was the brief Black Butler ref 🤣(Yay Sebas-chaaan!)

[@CashBentt]

this was reaaaally good

[@felix_christopher]

A rare moment when you get a grasp on life.

[@jimmoore3054]

awesome stuff! this needs to be a show!

[@ryoodraws]

Aww thank you!! Heehee

[@jadaw644]

I've been trying to figure out my style for years, and I think I've finally found a mixture of aesthetics that suits me and feels like myself. It's an alternative, cutesy, sugary sweet style that people will probably judge me for because it's "outlandish" or makes me look "childish" or whatever, but I'm trying to learn not to care as long as I'm happy.

[@suweybahlara3584]

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@itsamaniarts]

This was amazing! Great job!

[@luvcupid02]

🇬🇭 🇬🇭 🇬🇭

[@ryoodraws]

[@az261]

love everything about this. i think this is the first student film i've seen in a very long time that has made me go, "i'd like to make something like this someday". ty for the art inspo!

[@mysticalteration498]

This is fantastic!

[@aeiou9456]

Great work will be intouch soon

[@amberincrease]

Love the IRL banter

[@bettip4331]

Love this so much!! Such a cool discussion

[@alexandracloete]

You are incredible and your creativity and ability to capture all of this! wow ❤

[@Wuzeio]

This is so awesome!!!

[@rilyaf]

so gooood

[@kaeg.7800]

Beautiful! 🩵💙

[@ryoodraws]

Thank you

[@JMPT]

Incredibly Nice 🥻👘👕

[@ryoodraws]

Thank you so much!!

[@JMPT]

:D

[@giuliageovana78]

i loooove this

[@ryoodraws]

Thank you !!!

[@dianawiana3487]

this is amazingg…i’m so proud of you 🥺🥺🥺i’m your biggest fan

[@ryoodraws]

I LOVE YOU DIANA THANK YOU!

[@verastrobel5251]

this was SO GOOD

[@ryoodraws]

Thank you sooo much!!!!

[@faithyn]

amazinggggg

[@ryoodraws]

ILY

[@chaitanyanahar1]

Wowwwww 👌🏼

[@ryoodraws]

Thank you!!!

[@taanika7250]

I really like this!!

[@ryoodraws]

Thank you!!!

[@nacoticsero]

nice

[@noharmlive]

good

[@pixiedust6347]

so cool

[@ryoodraws]

Thank you!!!

[@phinehasmaximus]

WOAH

[@ryoodraws]

haha thank youuuu

[@SsLoage]

I love thiss🩷🩷🩷

[@ryoodraws]

Thank you sooo muchh!!!!!

[@PikaTigerlilypika]

This is so great! Did you go to Afroanimation this year?

[@ryoodraws]

Thank you! Yes I did go actually. Thankfully my film "MailBrothers" won their short film award this year-it was a beautiful experience! Did you go?

[@Noah-et8tj]

omgg :,)

[@ryoodraws]

Thank you for watching :)

[@aspebb]

The colouring for the pslms is off. Draker skin with lighter coloured palms.

[@eleanorspey5671]

Is this verbatim work?

[@queenawill3542]

That is not how you pronounce Sankofa. It just means “go back and get it.”

[@judithangulovalenzuela5116]

THIS sums up so well why I studied fashion design 🫶🏻

[@ryoodraws]

Awww thank you! I'm happy you were able to watch this