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Deep Field

A grandfather takes his granddaughter on adventures in space, teaching her that we are all part of this great big universe. Weaving footage from the NASA archive with animation, it's a story about connection and love.

  • April Merl
    Director
  • Avery Loikits
    Key Cast
  • Katharine Houston-Voss
    Key Cast
  • David Fischer
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, Sci-fi, Family
  • Runtime:
    5 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    February 3, 2023
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Coney Island Film Festival

    United States
    Winner - Best Animation 2023
  • Philadelphia Independent Film Festival

    Official Selection
  • Fort Myers Film Festival

    Official Selection
  • Jersey Shore Film Festival

    Co-Winner - Best Jersey Animated Short 2023
Director Biography - April Merl

April Merl is an editor and animator with over 20 years of experience working in film, television and media. She has edited documentaries including Salt in My Soul (2022), and The Yes Men Fix the World (Panorama Audience Award-Berlin Int’l Film Festival). She also produces short form media and social media content with clients including SYFY and Warner Media.

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Director Statement

When I saw news footage of NASA’s Cassini spacecraft completing its planned final descent to crash into the surface of Saturn, I was struck by the emotional reactions of the scientists in the control room and couldn’t help but feel the sadness of their loss as well. At the time, my father-in-law was being treated for late-stage cancer, and we didn’t know that we had only another year left to be with him. Eventually, these two moments fused together into this story, celebrating the love and connection that make our lives feel not as small in this great big universe.