WolfSong

My third year film at Cal Arts. The sound has been remastered to further emphasize the films' haunting nature.
A mother wolf breaks into a hunter's den and takes back her pup, only to find it a stuffed trophy. She sings to her cub a goodnight's lullaby, hoping her child would finally sleep. Little does the mother know, a young hunter is already on her trail.
Music by Denny Schneidemesser
Sound Design by Glenn Hafagre
Teenaged Hunter voiced by Lucien Dodge
Singing Wolf by Karen Kahler.
Wolfsong is a film about bonding - and questions whether 'family' is a strictly human thing. Animated in TVPaint for the first time.

[@diegofromgothic7642]

"When a man wants to murder a tiger, it's called sport; when the tiger wants to murder him it's called ferocity". Quote by George Bernard Shaw.

[@PSYCH0TR0P1C]

I haven't watched this short film in nearly 5 years. Today it crossed my mind and I decided to rewatch it. I still break down during the whole thing.

[@lordcerberus7575]

Damn, you too huh?

[@raccoon2968]

Saaaaame

[@VinOnline]

Yeah me too.

[@EasternWarrior6429]

You *hick* too? *sobs agressivly*

[@HappyGrrs]

KZbin randomly recommended it to me this time but yeah XD same

[@Touyathetrashking]

This one always kills me. It shows truth despite being an animation. Animals feel pain, your trophy is someone else’s baby.. it’s screwed up. Trophy hunting is the worlds grossest sport. It shouldn’t even be considered a sport it’s really an atrocity.

[@ClaraCheetah]

Ziggy Zigzagoon. Yes and I agree.

[@casualknight8962]

And this comment proved how stupid you are

[@clover2660]

I'm fine with hunting, so long as you are hunting to eat or to survive. If you're just hunting for the fun of it, then you're a sick fuck. There is nothing fun about taking innocent lives.

[@brettweltz8135]

Hey I resent that. I’m a trophy hunt but even I’ve got standards. Never females and never the young. The only time I might kill a female or younger than a species if it is clearly diseased to the point of dying or near death.

[@jadedshard9650]

I feel the same hunting for food is one thing (I have hunted deer) but for sport no

[@somethingoranother8827]

_No matter how many times I watch this film, I always cry. A wolf's howl is a song that relays much sadness_

[@lisamoore1156]

When I saw this for the first time it resonated with me. It wasn't just sad but it was showing how similar humans and animals are. Both the man and the wolf get angry at each other and show sadness. I know a lot of people wanted the man to get eaten but I think after the wolf died something changed in him and I think he will try to redeem himself but he'll always regret what he did. What I take from this is that human or beast we both feel anger, grief, and happiness. Thank you

[@partsnake7221]

Thats what I was thinking

[@Sathasiless]

I feel like so many people miss the fact that he changed in the end. They still want him to die and think he's evil.

[@lyceenjps5353]

I just think the human is an idiot for taking so long to realize that the wolf just wanted its child back.

[@average-art3222]

@@lyceenjps5353 well, that's how a humans brain works, what they done, they later have karma.

[@Josh-fj9hi]

There's nothing for the guy to redeem he did nothing wrong 💀 lmfao

[@William2669]

No I'm not crying, yOU'RE CRYING

[@preciousannan]

I feel u THESE HUMANS A JERKS

[@Com3tcandi]

Ocelotgirl3000 your human! anyway yes sadly some people are bad..

[@yaunadia33]

who puts onion here damn

[@Sathasiless]

we all are

[@cyrusunluckyperson345]

I cried a little

[@sebastiangibbs1102]

I remember first watching this when it was still pretty new and crying with my mom This was when my mom had fallen into depression and became completely lost as I had started growing up The story made me miss our bond; how she would always protect me and never wished to leave my side The fact she was so devoted to me as a mother However it’s been a about a year now sence she died And the story has a whole deferent meaning It reminds me of how she fought to hold onto me as a child Refusing to let go of our past until the night she died She loved me And she couldn’t except how far we’d grown apart And even at her weakest She still loved me the only way she could This is one of the only things I have left in her memory And the way you can express so many themes perfectly depending on the viewer is brilliant Thank you for giving people a chance to have something this beautiful. It’s a story that’s been told before but I don’t believe I’ve seen one with such nuance and feeling before; for 3 years later it still leaves me sobbing And each time I watch it I cry for a seemingly different reason

[@average-art3222]

I know this is a long comment but, omg this is giving me a broken heart now, omg 😭😭😭

[@elenasmcanonico3163]

I'm so sorry for your loss. May God bless you and your mom's soul.

[@ninjabunnywholivesinsideaw8216]

I am praying for you. My condolences, and I wish you the best in life. God bless you!

[@Jessieperssonbutters]

Damn. I refused to cry at the animation but this comment got me

[@Stelle.S]

𝔰𝔞𝔡 🥺😭

[@NightWolf-xn3xl]

It’s been 8 years since I seen this clip and and the 1st time I watched it 8 years ago I sobbed 😭😭😭😭my eyes out. I am back now and it still touches my heart❤️. It’s a beautiful sad animation still till this day.

[@WOLF_but_a_dead_one]

Yes

[@mariapaweloszek2138]

every time I see this - i'm crying

[@EnyaHallComposer]

This is one of the most emotional animated shorts (if not THE most emotional one) I've ever seen. I cry everytime I see it. I really look forward to see more from you. I really love your style.

[@harpinedoodles]

Agreeded!

[@matthewzarate1173]

I to cried lot

[@Avocatito]

A bit late, but you shouldn't take a look at The Life of Death, it's one of my favorites and just as this one, it has great music and story. Simple yet so perfect.

[@roborosvki7938]

I still have tears running down my face as I type

[@Josh-fj9hi]

Not really

[@hallelujahbrony3263]

“We reached the old wolf in time to watch a fierce green fire dying in her eyes. I realized then and have known ever since that there was something new to me in those eyes, something known only to her and to the mountain. I was young then and full of trigger-itch; I thought that because fewer wolves meant more deer, that no wolves would mean hunters’ paradise. But after seeing the green fire die, I sensed that neither the wolf nor the mountain agreed with such a view.” Thinking Like a Mountain, ASCA 130. (Aldo Leopold). I thought of this quote when I saw this video. The wolf is a powerful, majestic, beautiful, yet terrifying animal and that video sure did exemplify all of those qualities.

[@savagesavie1701]

No wolves would mean hell. Without the deers/elks national predator they'd eat all the tree saplings and no trees would grow. Happened in Yellowstone when they killed off all the wolves. Absolutely destroyed everything until they returned the wolves. Humans really need to look at the bigger picture instead of what will benefit them in the here and now. Because the here and now, only lasts so long.

[@OrdanBurdan85]

This is so emotional! You deserve more views - 28 698 views from 2015? Really?... Such a shame this didn't make a billion view at least.... This video is a masterpiece!... Keep up the amazing Work!

[@azizsetyawan3038]

Because of KZbin algorithms

[@YSleepish]

You don't know how much a billion is

[@udzalthegreatest]

For those who are confused, the wolf protecting the plushie was her daughter, she stole her from the shop, her daughter was killed and stuffed. If you need more context, in <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="171">2:51</a>, the wolf that was shot and killed was the wolfs daughter. Edit: This animation is a clear representation how we humans act in todays world. We destroy, and ask questions after. To better explain, the hunter killed the wolf pup, and saw the desperate mother being chased off by his other hunting friends. The mother wolf tried desperately to protect her daughter, who was already dead, and shown as a stuffed animal. After the hunter killed the mother wolf, he seems to ask this question: "What have I done?"

[@Halovian_]

Not a stuffed animal, taxidermied animal is a better way to say it, plush toys aren’t made with real animals.

[@fantasyferret3502]

Ok And?

[@philipsab.mp4]

gee, Thanks Captain!

[@babyduckling129]

As a taxidermist my self I have turn a fox in to a soft mount fox, kinda like a stuff toy. That wolf puppy was just a normally mounted using some kind of solid mount.@@Halovian_

[@SpookLarkiaVR]

Thank you, this is the only time I wish I could scroll down to the comments sooner, the video was really confusing at first but now I wanna cry :(

[@marjoleinbakker3633]

That was beautiful, I never cried so bad because of an animation. Keep up the amazing Work!

[@Magnoliam_]

But don't make it as sad!

[@marjoleinbakker3633]

But I like sad stories

[@Spigzi]

WHERE ARE YOUR VIEWS *looks under table* *looks in windows* WHERE ARE THEYYY

[@Sathasiless]

ikr, why doesn't this have at least 1 billion?

[@Plutogurl]

Because some other person did a REUPLOAD on their account!! That video got like 3 million views instead of this one!

[@raju.a9826]

@@Plutogurl could you tell me who?

[@atharvamahajan3940]

Raju A search wolf song on KZbin and you will find it

[@aho9071]

I know this is old but to answer if you are still wondering Tonik said from tumblr that this was first uploaded to Vimeo and the dude reuploaded to youtube. He was thankful for that I wish he did a proper credit because people don’t really read the description

[@WhatTheShrimp]

Seven years later, and this short film still makes me cry. I lost my dog two years ago, so this is definitely more emotional than I remember it being, but I still love it so much!

[@Shattered3582]

the look on the guys face after he saw that he killed a pup that had a mother shows that he wasn't sure what he had done was right. even when his comrades came and congratulated him, he still looked guilty for what he did. i saw this a while ago yet i still feel pain for them both way more than seeing any woman on in the movies cry

[@elijahshadbolt7334]

I was like, oh it's cool. It's just another animation... *halfway through* whoa it's so touching! So emotional! *Reaches end and sees them together again* *breaks up in tears* I congratulate you, sir, as I do not cry often.

[@jadino_bambino]

Yup! This animation ripped me to shreds after watching plenty of horror ones.

[@ac30fspade59]

WHAT!? I'M NOT CRYING! I... Just caught something in my eye! What did ya catch? TEARS!!!

[@annymus4660]

my favorite game

[@ariiuchinara1746]

I love the ending despite how sad and horrible it is. It shows that our actions are often blinded by emotion and have lasting consequences. This film not only shows how both sides were lost in emotions, but the dedication, determination, and DELUSION a mother's love can have. Any animal knows the pup is dead, but her overwhelming love for her lost kid let her ignore that, in a sense humans would consider disturbing and psychotic. Ripping a child away from a mother is devastating, but one often doesn't understand (in this case the hunter at the beginning, desperate to take back his kill, doesn't think about why). Another thing this film portrays is the influence of peers and social teaching, the hunter when he first killed was nervous, after seeing the bigger wolf confused and maybe guilty. It wasn't until his friends congratulated and made killing a child something to be praised for, did he develop the pride and protection over the stuffed pup.

[@animebot5780]

I am late to this, but it hurt so much, the mom just wanted their baby back. But in the end the hunter realized that and left the pair so they could be reunited in heaven. Now no one can hurt them or separate them ever again. This video should get more views and likes.

[@hisan5485]

Irl that mother wolf wouldve ripped that stuffed cub to shreds because it lost its scent and thinks it's from another wolf pack

[@thisisaperson660]

@@hisan5485 hi hisan, have you considered the fact nobody asked, and perhaps you should shut the fuck up?

[@41052]

@@hisan5485is that actually true? People say the same stuff about cats and dogs but they still always take the baby back, even when the baby has a different scent because of different people.

[@hisan5485]

@NowYouDont it's not a dog or cat, it's a wolf. Entirely different, similarity with dogs but they're domesticated.

[@0ArmoredSoul0]

Geebus flipping Christ, HOW DO YOU DO THAT?! It's like you have a direct line to the emotional center of my brain, and I end up a sobbing mess no matter what I do. I mean, bad enough the pained canine noises yanked on my heartstrings, but that beautiful poignant music and the flashback and- and- Flawless. Absolutely flawless.

[@Sathasiless]

I agree

[@GhostBestCat]

Seriously like how the heck did they know I cry at animal shorts like this-

[@ASHEXXED]

I was just scrolling down the channel to see films this guy has made because I was watching a video where he was talking about organizing files in indie animation. I didn't even know he made this but I first watched it ages ago, and it resonated with me so much. It still does, good work man.

[@DenisZwitterShilo]

Прекрасная работа. Мне было тяжело досмотреть это произведение до конца, представляю, на сколько тяжело было работать над ним.

[@KatsIsWeird24]

6 years later and I’m still crying to this, I was 15-16 when I first saw this, I’m 22 now 😭

[@Jlipper]

Very well done! This should get a lot more views!!

[@aho9071]

I know this is 4 years ago but too bad, a channel called Wellington Andrade somehow reupload this 7 years ago and has millions of views

[@SpaggettiSauce]

I've never cried so much at an animation before, this was beautiful.

[@thygrrr]

It is incredible how such a crushing emotion of grief and loss is fully conveyed to and manifested in the viewer in under four minutes with no narration, no dialogue, no intelligible words. A true masterpiece, and a strong contender for saddest film on the Internet.

[@pandoraavatar9901]

I’m not crying, I’m wailing.

[@graciewol6041]

The animation reminds me of the disney movies from the 1970s, with how rough and unfinished the characters looked

[@YourMom-dx8yc]

This is only made by one college student

[@ClaraCheetah]

@@YourMom-dx8yc 0.o

[@ICrawledOutOfTheAbyss]

I cry from hours-long movies, and this 4-minute animation got them streaming down my face. Beautiful animation.

[@Niolette]

Прошло лет 5 наверное как я не смотрела эту короткометражку и, сделав это вновь мои эмоции остаются теми же, ну невозможно смотреть на это без слез

[@aether_gns9116]

This Animation is a legend and i will always come across this animation. Its always gonna be a masterpiece! Never get bored of it! And its so Emotional

[@holdiisironic2106]

This is beautiful. I don't know why I haven't found this earlier. Amazing artwork, great storyline. It's not easy to make me cry (okay maybe) but this animation did it. This animation needs more attention!

[@dezyregomez5283]

When I first saw this short film I was in 6th grade and it has always stayed with me. Every if I may not think about it often I still had in my mind when I saw it a few years ago. It still hits hard and it was amazing that it showed up on my feed after all these years. This truly is a master piece as you show that there’s no boundaries between man and beast because we’re all living beings. We all have feelings and we can express those feelings even if we don’t look the same. You showed me this lesson so many years ago and I’ve kept it with me since then, even though you thought me a lesson without words but by showing me a film that can resonate with the heart.

[@lilithrosewood6829]

I remember when this was first posted, and 8 years later, this is still one of the best (and saddest) short animations I've seen. This song still makes me want to cry

[@TherapyisntenoughIneedtobite]

I watched this in middle school, coming back to it years later in college it still moves me. No matter how old you get art can still have the same effect, sometimes more with a more refreshed view, and I think that's amazing.

[@youngflamer1667]

Reminds me of Lobo, the king of Currumpaw. It has similar story, but this animation is more, MORE emotional. Also the ending is happy, I think, because the wolf and the pup are finally together. Anyway, that's a masterpiece

[@derpyestella]

Watched this and starts crying Mom comes in Mom: "What happened honey!?" Shows her this amazing sad animation We sit on the couch and cry together

[@derpyestella]

Amazing job by the way!

[@Cityofdogs]

Oh I miss this when I was younger Omg still gives me chills

[@meow-kay2998]

this is a lot sadder than I remembered, but at the same time still amazing

[@hopeblue755]

I cried... I-I-I've never cried like this before...I just wanted to burst into tears... Congrats.

[@GhostGayle]

TEARS ARE FOR THE WEAK *Says as I'm sobbing violently

[@gabs6315]

Your art became a big part of my life. I rewatch it year by year since I discovered it. Everything changed in my life but not crying while watching this animation. From the bottom of my heart thank you. It means a lot to me.

[@martuuwu1135]

No matter how many times I watch this, I'm always going to start crying my eyes out at the beginning

[@morbidravenpages9695]

When this first came out, I really needed it. I had lost my mum the year prior and ever since watching this, it reminds me of my mum. So whenever I miss her I come back here. 7 years ago I lost her in September and I miss her with all my heart. So thank you to the team behind this for capturing the relationship between mother and child

[@Queen_Of_All]

I can't stop crying... WHY CAN'T I STOP CRYING!?

[@ArtheniaPendragon]

Man the KZbin algorithm must be wanting me to cry if it's going to drag me back here after 5 years

[@orion5914]

I cry everytime. I love it. It's so emotional and the style is surprisingly appealing to look at for me.

[@IBAIPshow]

Absolutely beautiful. Had my crying at the very end. Made me think about my mum and that I should give her a call. Well animated with a lot of heart. Thank you :)

[@beetlbrite]

This many years later and you’re still one of the most powerful animators I know on youtube. I find myself coming back to these older animations of yours and watching through them, they’re just so amazing.

[@kay-jaydragon5147]

Damn this film still brings me to absolute tears... it breaks me every time. Absolute masterpiece!

[@revhaitung]

After all these years I still can't fully watch without tearing up

[@RenEatsHands]

this made me cry for the first time in years

[@RandomPoolGuy84]

Excellent work. The most intense moment was when the first bullet went across the wolf mother's snout and cut her. I expected her to die there but she kept coming back. Very sad story, but I like how the young hunter tried to redeem himself at the end. I came here from Crowne Prince.

[@breadfox3438]

The ending always get me I love the animation (I'm a sucker when it comes to animals) I'm sad

[@ClaraCheetah]

Bread Fox Same.

[@LiemNat]

And... I've stumbled across this masterpiece again. Just as emotional as I remember.

[@chrono106]

Jesus, I can’t even watch the first few seconds of this movie. It makes me wish that I never existed. There’s nothing as horrible as loving parents losing their children.

[@adihell-9535]

Even though this is a old animation video I still watch it today. Been watching this video many times and still hits me hard in the heart. Im a big time mamas boy and I keep thinking about my mom everytime I see this mother wolf. Thank you for making this video its really amazing!

[@3-10_to_Yuma]

I rewatched this 6 years later and told myself I wasn’t going to cry..<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="173">2:53</a> rolls around and here I am in tears, this still is the best animation I’ve seen

[@edwardgutierrez3853]

Muy hermoso está es la primera vez que lo ví pero me hizo llorar esta animación demuestra la maldad y la bondad que puede haber en la humanidad....las personas creen que somos superiores a los animales pero la verdad es que somos iguales ambos amamos, ambos lloramos, ambos deberíamos respetarnos

[@TyphAF]

I first discovered this animation many years ago; it made me sob uncontrollably even then. Every little bit, I come to find this animation all over again-surely, every single time it brings me to tears. Truly brilliant then, and it will continue to be so for many years to come.

[@nebulaknp7974]

No matter how many times I watch this, I bawl more each time at the end. 🥺🥺 This is truly a masterpiece 👏 👏👏👏👏

[@xander6416]

Still 2024 i rewatch it and still make me cry again

[@jyestheletter6967]

I remember watching this years ago and I came back because I saw a scene from a drawing tutorial and remembered it. It's still so beautiful and brings me to tears every time.

[@zecora4241]

Why did this make me cry.... DAMM I'm crying.

[@missmeabea3052]

Me too

[@Emerl18]

So it took him until he had killed the mother too to realize he's a complete bastard? Killing a child didn't do it for him? Hopefully some trophy hunters see this and realize why anyone with a soul hates them, but the fact they trophy hunt to begin with means they're essentially beyond help.

[@camarvan]

I used to cry every time I watched this. I came back after 2 years or so and sobbed again. Such a well done short film

[@lunerlilly]

I told myself not to cry before watching this because of the comments. Still shed tears.... beautifully done animated tale. 👏

[@sharksforlife]

ow ow ow ow. i didn't know what i was getting into and i cried so hard i had to hold back sobs. that hurt a lot. a very good and beautiful piece

[@GameBroJimmy]

OMG dude i dont know how you did this, I mean I consider myself a person who has an even better control over his emotions than Spock but this video made me break down in tears. extremly well done. and that fact you only have 286 subbs is plain criminal

[@kyleecook6671]

Good god, how does this still make me emotional? It's been years since it first came out and I am very literally crying. True art. I just...GAH! I leave it for a few years, I come back, and it does this to me

[@fercsa7238]

I watched this video many years ago. I was both amazed and sad. Now, I come back to watch it again... It is the best and saddest animation (and song) in my life. I have seen a huge amount of animations, but it's my favourite . I love your work Toniko, all of it! Thank you!

[@tadan1769]

The mother wolf scenes with teary eyed so appealing ,, amazing animation,, urgg.. your my idol now Sir ..😢😢😢

[@amphithere3608]

This thing was posted 7 years ago. I am forever glad that every blue moon it's put in my KZbin recommendations. May we all cry.

[@satiwi1727]

This animation was so impactful to me as a kid, and still is today. Amazingly impacful and gorgeous. There are so many scenes permanent etched into my mind from this video

[@renseal475]

Beautifully animated! The way of movement, flow, emotion, the sounds of the crying wolf truly tugged hard at the heart strings..

[@ratt4661]

you made me cry at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="465">7:45</a> am this is sooooooooo good

[@atapeworm]

Umm this is only 4 minutes.

[@ratt4661]

+icy diamonds yea I mean the time 7:45 AM

[@atapeworm]

Stardust Animations OOOOH. ok thx

[@m.c.a.2699]

2:41 am

[@MsEmminator]

I just love everything about this! You should definitely make more :)

[@TNRwolf]

Every year this short film shows up in my feed and every time it does, I put everything away to sit down and watch it again. Even though I watch it every year it never fails to have an impact on me. It is absolutely beautiful every single time

[@Nightshade27]

This is the best animated short I have ever seen. I loved this! This is literally the only animation that makes me cry.

[@jadino_bambino]

This is beautifully done, but the story kills me. I'm a Husky mommy and I understand this wolfie-mommy.

[@lemonbread5762]

You've made my cry and that's a hard thing to do, congrats.

[@zeppymeppy8456]

I remember watching this so long ago- still cry every time I think about it and had to find it again and ended up balling again

[@Sanakudou]

This is the most heartbreaking story concept I’ve ever come across 😢 the animation is gorgeous, the cinematography is seriously amazing!

[@VictorChevrestt]

Why is the boy willing to die for a hunting trophy?

[@MrDrewwills]

+Victor “Supermanhulkjesus” Chevrestt I think it might be the last thing him and his (i'm assuming) brother and father hunted.

[@scavshere5456]

Victor Chevrestt Pride, glory, acceptance or anger humans have many different and complex emotions that is hard to understand

[@ironmilutin]

Dunno, but from what i saw I'm guessing that was his first kill...

[@pikachupokemon5450]

Wow he must be so proud, he killed a baby. Wuhu !

[@ilikestuffproductions347]

pretty sure it was his first kill.

[@elisrodrigues4211]

A dor que bate ao saber que o filhote não está mais vivo, mais mesmo assim ela tenta protegê-lo.

[@buhbuh5635]

I don’t know how this was the first time I’ve seen this. I couldn’t keep myself from crying, it was just physically impossible. I’m crying again while typing, it’s so beautifully written and animated. It really shows you don’t need lots of words to tell a beautiful story.

[@LakeWagner-bt8do]

i know i'm with my hearth freezing and that i shouldn't look emocional things, but one thing that turned my life better was that last scene that remembered me a "happiest day" of the mom and the son, that was beautiful

[@themotherofharlots4605]

idk why im crying in the club rn

[@SanguiniCore]

Lovely animation, the way you animate motion is stunning. I just wish it wasn't so sad (T_T)

[@Twiddle_things]

Movies have made me cry maybe once or twice, being when I was 6 or younger... this is the first time a movie brings tears to my eyes in a while. Thank you.

[@floof_Undetected]

Why am I only just seeing this its such a beautiful and sad emotional story that has now officially become one of my favorites 😢

[@Sathasiless]

This deserves at least 10 mil views

[@AAnt-gn1rj]

#mostunderratedanimation2015

[@shazani18]

Man, this short is so powerful, it makes me cry every time that I wach it, the concept of the wolf mother's song is just so wonderful and beautiful.

[@igotingot2023]

Oh wow. Normally I don't cry, I just feel emotional. This one made me C-R-Y. This is a work of art that I wish I had seen sooner! Wow. Just wow. This is amazing.

[@ScaryMonstersSuperCreeps69]

I'M NOT CRYING I'M SWEATING THROUGH MY EYES

[@somerandomusername1397]

who left this bowl of onions here?

[@jungelfowl7996]

Watching his hurt and made me cry... thank you for making it. Its beautiful...

[@youngflamer1667]

The best story and the best animation I've seen. This will be forever in my heart. A masterpiece.