During a pandemic, filmmakers will still be filmmakers. They just needed to be a bit more creative.

Matteo Bernardini is a director faced with a lockdown in Italy due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With thousands of deaths, there’s no end in sight for Italy as it became one of the hardest-hit regions of Europe.

Then came a revelation on paper. Quite literally.

With a pair of scissors, glue, paper, and drawing utensils, Bernardini used his illustration skills to create an unforgettable animated short series. With his desk as a set, he acted, filmed, and produced with his “illustrations-coming-to-life experience” rather than a traditionally animated series.

Now his animated short series, The Little Broomstick Rider, premieres at the Slamdance Film Festival 2021 this month.

Based on a relatively unknown 17th-century story by Ludwig Bechstein called The Little Pitchfork Rider, the animated short series is about a boy standing for trial for witchcraft. During the trial, he spins wild tales about the Satanic arts and the Dark Lord.

With humor and simple animated techniques, The Little Broomstick Rider is a delightful amusing animated series.

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LRM Online’s Gig Patta spoke with director and illustrator Matteo Bernardini about his animated series. We talked about the original story and his illustration versus animation techniques to bring this story to life.

Matteo Bernardini is an Italy-based director. He worked on several short films, including An Afterthought, The Music Lovers, Treated, Vampyre Compendium, Ooh Yeah, and Caccia al Tesoro.

The Little Broomstick Rider premieres at the Slamdance Film Festival 2021 this week. The film is available virtually at Slamdance from Friday, February 12, through Thursday, February 25.

Watch the exclusive interview below. Let us know what you think.

Source: LRM Online Exclusive, Bernal Beach Films