Experiencing Interruptions?

Gentle as Moss on Stone

'Gentle as Moss on Stone' is a poetic meditation on resilience, memory, and the quiet wisdom of nature. At the foot of a moss-covered hill he can no longer climb, a retired bryologist weaves tales of imaginary mosses for his young granddaughter. Each moss holds a secret remedy - coded strengths to help her navigate the challenges of life, long after he is gone.

The fears in the film were collected during workshops with neurodiverse young people - each animated moss serves as a remedy for one of their anxieties. Through this process, the film becomes a bridge between science and emotion, where the imagined flora embody deeply personal aspirations for comfort and resilience.

Blending realism with fantasy, ‘Gentle as Moss on Stone’ explores the unseen connections between human emotions and the natural world. As scientific research begins to reveal the medicinal and therapeutic properties of moss, the film invites audiences to consider their fragile strength.

  • Vicky Isley
    Director
  • Paul Smith
    Director
  • boredomresearch
    Director
  • Paul Smith
    Writer
  • Vicky Isley
    Writer
  • Clive Hopwood
    Key Cast
    "Retired Bryologist"
  • Phil Rowe
    Key Cast
    "Bryologist Voice"
  • Mabli Gwen Harries
    Key Cast
    "Granddaughter"
  • Artem Litovchenko
    Music
  • Natural Resources Wales
    Commissioners
  • Heritage Fund
    Funder
  • Arts Council of Wales
    Funder
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Experimental, Short
  • Genres:
    SciArt, Arthouse, Experimental, Indie
  • Runtime:
    11 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    March 3, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    15,000 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Rob Knox London Film Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    September 6, 2025
    World Premiere
    Best Editing
  • Aesthetica Short Film Festival
    York
    United Kingdom
    Official Selection
  • Bracciano Film and Arts Festival
    Bracciano
    Italy
    Europe Premiere
    Best Artist Film (Short)
  • Folkestone Film Festival
    Folkestone
    United Kingdom
    November 3, 2025
    Best Art Film (UK)
  • Kendal Mountain Festival
    Kendal
    United Kingdom
    November 20, 2025
    Official Selection
  • RAW Science Film Festival
    New York
    United States
    October 24, 2025
    North America Premiere
    Professional Animation Short
  • Southampton Film Week
    Southampton
    United Kingdom
    November 16, 2025
    Best Film, Best Artist Film, Audience Award
  • Biophilia International Film Festival
    Mexico City
    Mexico
    November 14, 2025
    Latin America Premiere
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Vicky Isley, Paul Smith, boredomresearch

Boredomresearch is a collaboration between British artists Vicky Isley and Paul Smith, their work uses 3D gaming, animation and film tools to explore the intricate relationships between natural and human systems. Boredomresearch has produced award-winning films and artworks including: 'Call of the Silent Cell' (2021), a film exploring the symbiosis of human and environmental health which won the Best Artist Film Award in Southampton Film Week (2022); 'In Search of Chemozoa' (2020), a moving image artwork created in collaboration with Arizona Cancer Evolution Center, which presents a poetic rendering of a fictional model organism, won the Best Film Award at Sigma Xi STEM Art & Film Festival (2021); 'AfterGlow' (2016), a SciArt experimental animation project, commissioned by Animate Projects, won the moving image Lumen Prize award (2016) that celebrates the very best art created with technology.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Boredomresearch’s practice is rooted in the intersection of artistic intuition and scientific exploration. Their creative process often involves collaborations with researchers, drawing on insights from biology, ecology, and cultural studies to inform their work. By merging digital technologies with complex ecological and scientific narratives, they create immersive artworks that explore the intricate relationships between living systems.

Through simulations of natural phenomena and imagined life forms, boredomresearch invites audiences to confront ecological and emotional challenges from fresh perspectives. Their works reframe nature as an interconnected and dynamic entity, moving away from static, reductive interpretations. Interactive installations, generative art, and poetic films serve as a platform for dialogue, encouraging viewers to reflect on humanity’s impact on the environment and fostering a sense of shared responsibility.