| Maybe Elephants | |
|---|---|
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| Norwegian | Kanskje det var elefanter |
| Directed by | Torill Kove |
| Written by | Torill Kove |
| Produced by |
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| Narrated by | Torill Kove |
Production companies |
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Release date |
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Running time | 16 minutes |
| Countries | |
| Languages | |
Maybe Elephants (Norwegian: Kanskje det var elefanter) is a 2024 Canadian-Norwegian animated short film written and directed by Academy Award winner[1] Torill Kove.[2] The 16-minutes animated film about family and memories has been selected in various international film festivals,[3] including Annecy International Animation Film Festival[4] and Spark Animation Film Festival where the film won the Canadian Film Prize. The film is listed as part of the qualified shorts under consideration in the 2025 Academy Award Best Animated Short Film Category.[5]
The film was named to TIFF's annual Canada's Top Ten list for 2024.[6]
Plot
Three teenage sisters find themselves uprooted from their small town in Norway when their mother decides to move to Nairobi, Kenya, in an attempt to escape the dark cloud that has been following her. The film is inspired by Kove's own experiences,[7] in the same fashion as her previous short Me and My Moulton.
Release
Since its release, the film has been selected in various festivals around the world:
| Award | Date | Category | Recipient | Status | ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annecy International Animation Film Festival | 2024 | Cristal for Best Short Film | Torill Kove | Nominated | [8] |
| Spark Animation Film Festival | Canadian Film Prize | Won | [9] | ||
| Animation Is Film Festival | Short Film Grand Prize | Nominated | [10] | ||
| American Film Institute Festival | Shorts Program : Family Friendly | Nominated | [11] | ||
| London International Animation Festival | Figures in Focus | Nominated | [12] | ||
| Bucheon International Animation Festival | Audience Prize | Won | [13] | ||
| Vila do Conde International Short Film Festival | International Competition | Nominated | [14] | ||
| Canadian Screen Awards | 2025 | Best Animated Short | Torill Kove, Lise Fearnley, Maral Mohammadian, Tonje Skar Reiersen | Won | [15] |
| Quebec Cinema Awards | 2025 | Best Animated Short Film | Won | [16] |
References
- ^ Amidi, Amid (2015-01-15). "Torill Kove Celebrates 'Me and My Moulton' Oscar Nomination with An Animated Film". Cartoon Brew. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
- ^ Wolfe, Jennifer (2024-06-12). "Exploring the Gap Between Reality and Memory: Torill Kove's 'Maybe Elephants' (Extended Interview)". Retrieved 2024-10-29.
- ^ "US festival premiere of Torill Kove's Mikrofilm/NFB animated short Maybe Elephants. SoCal audiences get three chances in October to see Oscar winner's latest". WebWire. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
- ^ Robinson, Chris (2024-06-04). "10 Shorts You Won't Want To Miss At Annecy 2024". Cartoon Brew. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
- ^ Magazine, Animation (2024-10-25). "Oscar Watch: The Long List of the 2024 Animated Short Award Contenders". Retrieved 2024-12-11.
Maybe Elephants - Norway, Canada - Directed by: Torill Kove - Qualified by exhibition
- ^ Carlos Diaz, "Canada’s Top Ten: TIFF Celebrates the Best in Cinema for 2024". That Shelf, January 8, 2025.
- ^ Bobrowska, Olga (2024-07-17). "Mood Bathing. A Conversation with Torill Kove". Zippy Frames. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
- ^ "AWN Exclusive: Torill Kove's 'Maybe Elephants' Trailer". Animation World Network. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
- ^ Skwigly (2024-10-10). "Award winners announced for 2024 SPARK ANIMATION Festival". Skwigly Animation Magazine. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
- ^ Patta, Gig (2024-10-24). "Maybe Elephants | Torill Kove on Animated Short Film of Family Life in Nairobi - Animation Is Film 2024". LRMonline. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
- ^ "AFI Announces Full Lineup – Here, Juror #2, Maria and More". Awardsdaily. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
- ^ "LIAF 2024: Figures in Focus: Wanderlust (15) + Screentalk". London International Animation Festival. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
- ^ "BIAF 2025. 10.24 ~ 10.28 BUCHEON INTERNATIONAL ANIMATION FESTIVAL 1". www.biaf.or.kr. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
- ^ "Maybe Elephants". www.festival.curtas.pt. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
- ^ Jamie Casemore, "CSAs ‘25: Universal Language takes five at Cinematic Arts Awards". Playback, May 31, 2025.
- ^ Manon Dumais, "À quoi s’attendre du Gala Québec Cinéma". La Presse, December 4, 2025.
External links
