The Christmas Beetle
Client Name
Tamworth Regional Council
Date
December 2024
Category
Animated Short
Commissioned by Tamworth Regional Council, ‘The Christmas Beetle’ is an animated short film created for the 2024 Tamworth Community Lighting of the Christmas Tree event.
The project was entrusted to Visitors From Dreams, who were given full creative control. Following the previous year's Christmas short film, City of Light, we aimed to create a film that was less of a traditional Christmas fairytale and more reflective of Australia, incorporating subtle Christmas influences. The Christmas Beetle was inspired by an afternoon walk in early summer and the noticeable absence of Christmas beetles, despite it being the right time of year and with perfect weather conditions.
Christmas beetle populations have been declining for several decades, a topic often discussed at the end of the year, particularly by older generations. We felt this story was a strong fit for a somewhat melancholy yet hopeful Christmas short film.