The Brightest Star - Award Winning Animated Short Film by Tompswell

[@andykite1]

That's how you explain loss or death to children, I do wish people turn into stars after they die though, it's such a beautiful idea.

[@EagleTimberWolf]

It's an interesting albeit depressing idea that some children who get whisked away by faefolk weren't actually kidnapped and went by choice, whether it be out of simple curiosity/wonder or because their lives in the mortal realm weren't worth staying in for whatever reason. I know the whole magical aspect of this was probably meant to be more metaphorical than literal, but it offers a lot to think about nonetheless.

[@Tomps93]

@@EagleTimberWolf glad it invites the imagination to wander :)

[@GenXWitch67]

The corpse beetle, excellent foreshadowing

[@wm6578]

this is an incredibly delicate way to depict the death of a child... unfortunate and sad, but also peaceful and filled with beauty and hope

[@Tomps93]

@@wm6578 thank you. Yes, that is what I was going for: matbe death doesn't have to be as hopeless as it often feels like it is

[@jtischCB]

For me, the sweet 🎵 fortified against Sophie's impending (non)end, promising joy just beyond the pale. To love is to hurt, but it's worth it.

[@billsadler3]

There are many beautiful videos depicting the loss or death of a child. This is one of them. Thank you for turning pain into art, a true alchemy of the soul.

[@Kekweschool]

This one too kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqrdaHx_n6qYhaMsi=hX_ZhRwU24ESsO09

[@davidwright8432]

Until the last few seconds, I imagined an ending as comfortingly charming as the video til then. Turns out I was being set up for something far different - and much deeper. Thanks.

[@FurryBlossoms]

Noticed right away the quality of the work. Loved how you combined 2d and 3d. A pretty, yet sad story. Good job!

[@Tomps93]

@@FurryBlossoms thank you for your kind words!

[@Kaskei]

A Sad time for her family, but this was so sweet and the music was just a great way to show us viewers without words what the feelings were going for. poor child, but she'll have a friend at least she's not alone.

[@SirCheesy91]

Those poor parents 😢😢 What a beautiful and tragic film. It's almost like a fae spirited her away.

[@scottmcshannon6821]

very slow parents, they are still searching in the front yard.

[@anonymouspotato4899]

Damn, can't believe Sophie just became Neverland 😔

[@Melrock06]

That was beautiful, I did not expect a sad ending but at least she's not alone ❤

[@Tomps93]

@@Melrock06 yes exactly 😊 thank you

[@ruthiewitter569]

That... was beautiful. The way the water reflected yet also let us see the spirit as it sunk beneath the surface... the way the scene came into focus at the beginning... this is a work of art. the message is its own masterpiece. It reminds me of when i was a young child, and saw My Neighbor Totoro for the first time. It stuck with me. I can tell you, this will stick with me, probably for the rest of my life. thank you. Thank you

[@Tomps93]

@@ruthiewitter569 thank you so much! It means a lot to me that you noticed and appreciate all the details I spent time on ^^ warms my heart

[@wellbeing4914]

There were two stars. I guess the friendly bug became a star too. Which is so nice.

[@Tomps93]

@@wellbeing4914 indeed it did 😊

[@susanbdusan2785]

I think that the beetle was also dead, even before the girl fell into the cave. It had to struggle to get out from under the boulder, and when it emerged, I noticed that there was no burrow, no hole showing. I figure that the boulder fell on it, and there it stayed until the girl arrived. So that’s why there were two stars.

[@Diana-XJ]

This is simply beautiful, a work of art. The best way to represent the death of a child

[@Tomps93]

@SabineMayte-b9h thank you

[@abbykoop5363]

She freaking died?? I guess I've watched too many "happily ever after" shows, I kinda thought they'd drop her somewhere she would be found. Excellent film...just an unexpected ending for me.

[@Tomps93]

@@abbykoop5363 thank you! Yeah, even though I was inspired by disney a lot, I wanted to make a bit different type of an ending 😅

[@abbykoop5363]

@@Tomps93 I actually like the endings that throw you for a loop. 😉

[@dreamguardian8320]

Reminds me of that shocking ending in the cartoon short "The Missing Scarf."

[@cristinateodorescu-c1v]

YOU JUST SPOILD EVERYTHING...COUSE YOUR MESAGE APPEARD....😮😢🫣😠🙈👻

[@jtischCB]

​@@cristinateodorescu-c1vme too, but that final scene of loved ones searching, calling after dusk would've knocked me flat.

[@jpbaley2016]

Wow, so many positive reactions to what was basically a story of negligent parents that let their very young daughter run off, fall into a pit and the fall into a pool of water and drown.

[@IamSolara]

Well, there can be a difference of what happens in a story and what the story is about. Sometimes the unsaid words have the deepest impact.

[@GenXWitch67]

Until the point of seeing torches on the ground looking for the child. I really didn't assign age or species etc. I was lost in the beautiful telling of the sad story. Some little being fell into a hole while playing outdoors. Not until they show the 'adults' looking for the child did I consider it a human tale. I was focused on the universe taking care of its tiny soul and turning it into a star.

[@tinarenarde]

This is one of the best solo animations I have seen. Definitely should get it into the festival circuit etc. Great story and great implementation. Very polished. It’s always story that wins the day, not all the technical stuff.

[@Tomps93]

@@tinarenarde thank you! Means a lot to me to hear this 😊 i did have it some festivals around the world, before publishing to you tube. But as a solo independent filmmaker it is a lot of work and money to get it through to even some festivals 😅 maybe for the next one I should try to have help from some more official entity with all that

[@jtischCB]

​@@Tomps93Your muse mustn't be hostage to "the sordid topic of coin." Patreon? Buy Me a Coffee? I pledge fifty bucks. We value you.

[@MelissaSainz-tx3vt]

As an animation student and a fellow artist, this brought me to unexpected tears. This has inspired me to keep going and post my animation. This is so beautiful to me and I hope this is what I see and feel when its my time. Thank you for sharing your talent.

[@Tomps93]

@@MelissaSainz-tx3vt thank you for your kind words! I'm glad it inspired you. Please let me know when you post ypur work, so I can take a look :)

[@ryanstone925]

A beautiful masterpiece! Loved seeing the Miyazaki influences and all the tiny details!

[@Tomps93]

@@ryanstone925 thank you! Glad you appreciate it ^^

[@blzrdphoto]

I absolutely love the animation style. One thing I really noticed was that most animations miss the mark on sound design. They always sound so flat and empty. This one did not. I’m glad I got to experience this. FYI, I Came here from your Imgur post.

[@Tomps93]

@@blzrdphoto thank you! I'm glad you think that. Sound and music are definitely super important imo too. They can really make or break the immersion and mood

[@billsadler3]

@@Tomps93 Absolutely. I can't wait to score my narratives when they get to this point, too.

[@nicbonhomme9877]

Some of the most exquisite storytelling comes from removing the dialogue - the brain processes words differently from other sensory input. So moving, so visceral - when she reaches out to touch the spirit's face, my hand rose up! I hope you continue to tell the stories that feel most important to you - your work matters.

[@gilbysstroem]

My sister died, just this dec 11. It was very painful for me. But on her burial, my heart is light because i know she'll be ok in the afterlife. All of our relatives who had bad against each other learn to reconcile. My sister's death healed lots of heartaches and misunderstanding within our family, relatives and friends. Death is also a beginning of life, healing, and peace...

[@Tomps93]

@@gilbysstroem I am so sorry for your loss. It will take time for it to stop hurting, but I am glad you can already see some silver linings in the sadness

[@gilbysstroem]

@Tomps93 thank you. And i saw her face smile in the end. Maybe its her way to say "thank you for all the love you showed me" even in death. Im ok now, because i learned let her go , wishing her good luck on her journey in the after life 🙏🏼 may everyone who has been grieving find peace in their hearts and minds too

[@bieuxyongson]

Beautifully done. Sad and sweet. I was wondering if she had died or if the spirit would lead her back home. Well it did take her home in a way. Beautiful animated film. Thank you.

[@Tomps93]

@@bieuxyongson thank you for the kind words 😊

[@bidishadey8391]

This was really beautiful, it shows that art can be used to depict something as sorrowful as a loss of a child into a beautiful journey towards the unknown. Absolutely loved this💖. Also loved the fact that "death" was shown to be gentle.

[@Tomps93]

@@bidishadey8391 thank you! I am glad you appreciate what I was going for 😊

[@jeridoney7604]

What a marvelous rendition of this thought experiment! It is filled with joy and discovery as well as uncertainty and fear. The magical animation style eased us through the journey and imparted whimsy and wonder to guide us along. Thank you for sharing this with us! ⚘

[@Tomps93]

@@jeridoney7604 thank you for the kind words 😇

[@keithhandly2563]

Poor poor beetle tried to help and got this instead.

[@Tomps93]

@@keithhandly2563 yeah exactly! You're the first one to comment on this 😄

[@aceash459]

Even before I read you were inspired by the Ghibli movies, the first thing that came to mind was Mei exploring her new backyard and the wilderness surrounding it. Then when everyone thought Mei drowned in the lake because they found a pink sandal. The big difference here is that this apparently happened for real to the little girl. Instead of Totoro and the cat bus helping find Mei, the winged death character (top notch design btw) takes Sophie away to a different realm altogether. Also, her name is Sophie and Death's design reminds me of Howl's bird form as well as the dancing in the sky scene and the music. Of course the animation and story are amazing on their own.

[@Tomps93]

@@aceash459 yeah you picked up a lot what was inspiring me in the ghibli movies 😊 glad you noticed and that ypu liked my film

[@loreleishuck7659]

beautifully done! thank you so much for sharing!

[@joshtaylor485]

love this story even with its sad ending. well made and written

[@VedaVarshitha-uw5mq]

I cried. This is so beautiful

[@Tomps93]

@@VedaVarshitha-uw5mq thank you 🙏

[@lucasabreu7741]

That was unexpectedly touching. Thank you

[@earthmotherdragon4572]

Beautiful. This really pulls at my own Nordic strings. Knew it was made somewhere in Scandinavia. It has a notion to our old Norse traditions. Life and death are same just different dimensions. Wonderfully portrayed and beautiful. x

[@Tomps93]

@@earthmotherdragon4572 thank you! Glad you liked it and picked up the references ;)

[@susanlaine9054]

A lovely, delicate story tackling a difficult topic.

[@Tomps93]

thank you :)

[@SSSZoro]

oh no Sophie didn't expect this ending!!!!

[@Himanshu_Upadhyay_]

Beautiful, great and thought-provoking short film. 🎬🌠👏

[@Tomps93]

@@Himanshu_Upadhyay_ thank you 😇

[@Ashley-o1x2i]

Beautiful, thank you. 💖

[@TigerRose246]

This is absolutely charming. So well done!

[@saffronwilliams5832]

This is impressive. Quite beautiful because of, not in spite of, the not quite happy ending

[@jtischCB]

Well said. It's worth suffering mountains of mediocrity if it leads to such a rare pearl. (Edit: next day now, had to come back after pondering. Masterpiece!

[@SavingHistory]

This is quite beautiful. Congratulations on your award, it is well-earned. 👏

[@Tomps93]

@@SavingHistory thank you! Glad to hear you like it :)

[@TheArtCoop]

HOW IS THIS NOT VIRAL? THE ANIMATION IS SO GOOD OMG UR SO UNDERRATEEDD I LOVE IT ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤✨✨✨✨🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@Tomps93]

@@TheArtCoop oh my god, the best reaction thank you! Glad you like it! 😍

[@TheArtCoop]

@@Tomps93 You're welcome ✨✨❤

[@yellowmic1]

I'm gonna watch this on repeat now. Congrats ☺️✌️

[@ChorizoPig2]

Delightful. Thank you for sharing this.

[@whaletune]

Well done! Bittersweet!

[@Tomps93]

@@whaletune thank you!

[@ART-MANsayantan27]

beautiful work, excellent storytelling, a complete masterpiece

[@Tomps93]

@@ART-MANsayantan27 thank you 🙇‍♂️

[@jasoncrawford2664]

I want to the imagery is exquisite. ❤❤❤ reminds me as kid seeing the world anew

[@akisarkiniemi]

Aivan mielettömän tyylikäs ja koskettava!!

[@DIABAN_ABO_SHAOLA]

I never expected this ending The girl went to heaven forever sad ending

[@sunil5824]

wow such an amazing way to combine 2d and 3d and also does this mean both the child and little beetles are dead loved it keep up the good work 💖💖💖

[@Tomps93]

Thank you! I am happy how it turned out ^^ And yeees maaybe >_>'

[@TheAnxiousOwl]

2:50 - Oh look it's me in New Orleans in the 1880's - 1900's moping around

[@minaal-meznawi6845]

So soft yet so meaningful 👏

[@Tomps93]

@@minaal-meznawi6845 🙏

[@lorifromtemeculaca426]

This was a lovely bitter sweet potryal of death!

[@Tomps93]

@@lorifromtemeculaca426 thank you!

[@aricalamari]

Really impressive, but I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS TO THE CHILD

[@Tomps93]

@@aricalamari it is interesting to hear, what do you think happened?

[@jocelynwebster2623]

She died. After running away.

[@goteamslugs]

@@jocelynwebster2623 Perhaps the moment she fell down. Perhaps the beetle also perished the moment she fell on top of it?

[@roseschwarz5339]

she deadn’t

[@KekPafrany]

I'm not good with words so I just send a heart

[@Sharmishtha-i6v]

Wow, amazing bro

[@Charlotte66666]

Wow. Beautiful but sad 💔

[@Tomps93]

@@Charlotte66666 thank you

[@wernerkruger-hr1of]

Well done!!!

[@davideos8927]

Caramba a qualidade do curta e incrível! Parabéns 👏🏻

[@Tomps93]

@@davideos8927 thank you 🙏

[@miniaturasydragones2426]

Who was that ancient one? , the dead?

[@Tomps93]

@@miniaturasydragones2426 yeah, like a sky spirit that escorts souls to the otherside. Loosely based on some ideas from Finnish folklore :)

[@kipporah]

Interesting ending

[@juheejames]

wait wait wait DID SHE JUST DIE WHAT HAPPENED

[@Tomps93]

@@juheejames 🙊

[@downtostandup]

Spoilers!!!! Please!!!!

[@mariigonxalez5075]

My jaw literally dropped I was expecting her to DIE

[@Tomps93]

@@mariigonxalez5075 😇

[@Ninetailsfox171]

But nice animation though keep up!❤🎉

[@Tomps93]

thank you ^^

[@theBigA1992]

So, did Sophie die? And was that thing death?

[@Tomps93]

@@theBigA1992 yeah, the beign is like a spirit of the sky that escorts souls to the other side. Loosely based on ideas in Finnish folklore :) I wanted to portray "death" as something not so scary, but maybe even comforting

[@theBigA1992]

@@Tomps93But that seems kind of fucked up.

[@goteamslugs]

@@theBigA1992 Well, I think he did the best possible job on making it as endearing and sweet as can be . .

[@wm6578]

​@@theBigA1992 Children are living beings therefore they can die. Children die everyday in the world, its sorrowful, but its our reality. I dont think its "fucked up" to represent the death of a kid through art, specially when its done in such a poetic and beautiful way.

[@mariacristinaferreira9197]

Não entendi o final, a garotinha morreu?

[@Tomps93]

@@mariacristinaferreira9197 yes 😶‍🌫️

[@mariacristinaferreira9197]

@Tomps93 😭💦💦💦

[@JancePan]

Katoin maisemaa tossa alussa ja ajattelin "lol Suomi 😆", sit tuli lopputekstit ja "oho oikeesti Suomi 😅" Torille tai jotain.

[@Tomps93]

@@JancePan Joo pitäähän se omaa kotimaata vähän edustaa 😁

[@alexv9851]

I think her name is… “Sophie”?

[@Tomps93]

@@alexv9851 yees

[@elfinsaju2793]

WoW!❤

[@IrbisWinterGhost]

So where end reality and where start fiction/death? Also what is that thing with rocs and why there was cave under it? But anyway beautiful film ^^

[@Tomps93]

@@IrbisWinterGhost I wanted the line between these two to feel a bit blurred :) and the rock circle is based on ancient pagan monuments that can be found in the nordics. They were daid to lead to the fairy world and/or trap fairy spirits. The cave is my addition for the story 😄

[@IrbisWinterGhost]

@Tomps93 Cool idea 😯

[@HeliRy]

So the being in the cave… the angel of death?

[@Tomps93]

@@HeliRy yeah sort of. Like a spirit that guides souls to the afterlife

[@YarleiFreitad]

3D com esse molde de 2D é lindo demais eu quase chorei é impressionante é incrível Espetacular eu dou um 10 de 10 de melhor animação😮😂❤❤❤

[@Tomps93]

@@YarleiFreitad thank you! I'm glad you like it 😊 it was a rewarding challenge for sure to combine those two

[@ariadnasabatacatala7502]

❤

[@subgeta07]

I'd like to know more about the folkloric inspiration behind this story. What is the creature?

[@Tomps93]

So it is a mix of few things. Firstly "Näkki" which in nordic folklore was a water spirit that lures children under water to their deaths. Then also "Sielulintu" (soul bird translated) a bird spirit that brings soul to people when they are born and take it away when they die. There was also a third inspiration about this "bird of sky" that would drag the dark night over the sky, but I can't remember the name. So loosely based on these :)

[@subgeta07]

@Tomps93 very cool. Thanks! I love learning about folkloric figures from all over.

[@Ninetailsfox171]

What was he…some kind of swamp or guardian of underworld?

[@Tomps93]

@@Ninetailsfox171 like a spirit of the sky, that also escorts souls to the other side

[@Ninetailsfox171]

@ oh and…how did she died though?😢

[@Tomps93]

@@Ninetailsfox171 well I wanted to leave the exact moment vague. Could be when she fell into the cave, or when she fell into water, or even when she crossed the little stream in the beginning

[@alexv9851]

Wait, what happened to the girl? Did she die?

[@Tomps93]

@@alexv9851 maaybe 👀

[@emamulmursalin60]

How long did it take to make?

[@Tomps93]

@@emamulmursalin60 4 years in the evenings and weekends

[@emamulmursalin60]

@Tomps93 o my god, how did you keep your patience for this long !?

[@Tomps93]

@@emamulmursalin60 I have issues

[@ArchimedesWoo]

🔥❤🔥

[@ToxSick09]

So the beetle died too? 😢😢😢. I liked this different ending, it's not bad at all

[@Tomps93]

@@ToxSick09 thanks! Yeah it did 🥲

[@D4RK_V4N1SH]

600th liked and 60th comment

[@lightlovesoul]

The Story from the light of Love . When you feel caged in Darkness then search for the light of Higher Love 💙 Dont be afraid ! Trust yourself and Trust the Love . Have Trust in god and in the life . Dont be Panik. Be Trust in Love 💙 Trust in Love will overcome all fear. You have to Trust... You can handle .

[@TheAnxiousOwl]

BEEEEEEEEE

[@jamestran4968]

amazing video, but i hate these sad stuff with children and death. it just too much.

[@Tomps93]

@@jamestran4968 totally understandable. This is my way of dealing with these type of difficult things

[@TheSundayCall]

Then, don't expose them to death. Life is Dying. Someone has to give birth to your next meal...

[@CreatrixxxINK]

🥹❤️‍🩹🙏🏼😘

[@heatherhansen3663]

Watch your goddamm kid! Sorry, no sympathy for negligent parents. Plenty for the kid but at least in this she didn't die terrified

[@halou3350]

❤️🫂