Christenette Van Niekerk

Spark

A 3D animated short film that explores themes of purpose, mortality, and renewal through the journey of Ditto, a timeless robot, and his best companion Spark, an elderly dog nearing the end of his life. The film combines stylized realism with heartfelt storytelling to evoke empathy and reflection on the fragility of life and the unchanging nature of the artificial. Ditto embarks on a final journey with Spark, to the mountain top where their bond began and will also end. Along this journey, Ditto faces something no code prepared him for: the loss of someone he loves. The world of the film is symbolic, sparse, quiet, and worn by time. Inspired by both animation theory and existential philosophy