Human Layers
The movie is about how humans act differently in different contexts. Representing the routine life of a couple at work, together and alone where they can truly express themselves and not be prevented and confined by people, social norms and the society.
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Fatemeh ZareDirector
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Project Type:Animation, Short, Student
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Runtime:4 minutes 52 seconds
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Completion Date:August 29, 2024
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Country of Origin:Netherlands
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:Yes
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Student Project:Yes - Avans
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Happy Valley Animation Festival
United States
March 27, 2025
Official Selection | Happy Valley Animation Festival -
Lift-Off Sessions | "Audience Award"
United Kingdom
December 1, 2024
Award Winner | Audience Award -
Absurd Film Festival
Italy
March 1, 2025
Honorable Mention -
Festival Internacional de Cine Independiente de ParachoMichoacán de Ocampo
Mexico
July 25, 2025
Official Selection -
malabo international music & film festivalMalabo
Guinea
October 3, 2025
Official Selection -
Pulse of Animation FestivalBulgaria
Bulgaria
July 14, 2025
Award Winner | Audience Choice Award -
CIP Milan ShortsMilan
Italy
September 5, 2025
Finalist -
Festival l'Art en chemin 2025Oise
France
September 14, 2025
Official Selection -
Monza Film FestMonza
Italy
August 31, 2025
Honorable Mention -
Boundless Film FestivalLondon
September 15, 2025
Official Selection -
CARIBETOONS Festival Internacional de animación CARIBETOONS Festival Internacional de animaciónSanta Marta
Colombia
August 14, 2025
Official Selection -
Amsterdam New Cinema Film FestivalAmsterdam
Netherlands
November 30, 2025
Honorable Mention | Best First Time Director Short Film -
Salsa Film FestivalWeimar
Germany
November 12, 2025
Official Selection -
International Kolkata Short Film FestivalKolkata
India
January 20, 2026
Official Selection -
Animation Screenings Film Festival Striped TaleTbilisi
Georgia
October 2, 2025
Award Winner | Best Comedy Animation -
Couch Film FestivalToronto
Canada
September 30, 2025
Nominee -
Alibag Short Film FestivalAlibag
India
October 5, 2025
Official Selection -
Thilsri International Film FestivalTamil nadu
India
October 11, 2025
Award Winner -
Shortcutz LimaLima
Peru
November 19, 2025
Official Selection -
Mostra de Cinema das MissõesPorto Alegre
Brazil
November 20, 2025
Semi-Finalist -
Twente ShortOldenzaal
Netherlands
November 15, 2025
Nominated -
Kodaikanal International Film FestivalKodaikanal
India
October 19, 2025
Official Selection -
CinemaKing International Film Festival (CIFF)Dhaka
Bangladesh
December 19, 2025
Award Winner -
Afromeric Award of Excellence and Film FestivalMaryland
United States
November 14, 2025
Nominee -
West Bengal Short Film FestivalKolkata
India
November 29, 2025
Official Selection -
Festival CinemaZEROTrento
Italy
November 30, 2025
Official Selection -
World Indie Film Awards
January 12, 2026
Quarter-Finalist -
Short Shot FestMoscow
Russian Federation
March 28, 2026
Official Selection -
MIXEDPortland
United States
February 4, 2026
Quarter-Finalist -
Independent Days International Film festivalKarlsruhe
Germany
April 15, 2026
Official Selection | Best Newbie Award (first time movie) -
Giggleshitz Camp Comedy Film FestLos Angeles
United States
March 21, 2026
Official Selection | Narrative Comedy Shorts -
Kerala Short Film FestivalKerala
India
March 29, 2026
Official Selection | Best First Time Director -
PVTV Fringe FlicksLiverpool
United Kingdom
May 15, 2026
Official Selection -
Playgrounds International Film FestivalEindhoven
Netherlands
April 16, 2026
Official Selection | Saucy -
International Shorts Film Festival (Washington DC, USA)Washington DC
United States
May 16, 2026
International Shorts Submissions -
FICIMAD (Festival Internacional de Cine Independiente de Madrid)Madrid
Spain
June 19, 2026
Official Selection -
AXD Film FestivalAlexandroupolis
Greece
June 11, 2026
Official Selection -
AnifilmPrague
Czechia
May 11, 2025
Official Selection -
Pune Short Film FestivalPune
India
June 7, 2026
Official Selection -
International Istanbul Short Film & The Writer's Journey FestivalIstanbul
Türkiye
September 5, 2026
Official Selection
I started my artistic journey as an illustrator, constantly sketching the wild ideas that filled my mind. But I soon realized that some stories couldn't be confined to a single frame, they needed motion, energy, and life. That realization led me to animation, where my imagination could finally break free and take shape in ways I never thought possible.
To bring my visions to life, I pursued a Master of Animation at Avans University in the Netherlands, where I’ve been exploring how to transform my imagination into motion. My current film is my graduation project, but more than that, it’s a deeply personal journey.
In this film, I explore how humans act differently in various contexts—how our behavior shifts depending on the environment, whether at work, with loved ones, or in solitude. The story follows a couple navigating their routine lives, both together and apart, revealing the raw and often unspoken moments when they can truly express themselves, free from societal norms or expectations.
To reflect the absurdity and fragility of life, I chose simple outline shapes with a limited color palette. This minimalistic approach emphasizes the vulnerability of human existence and the complexities of human relationships. Through these visuals, I delve into the balance between how much a couple should share with each other and how much they should hide. What do they reveal when they’re alone? How do they behave differently when together? And what are the guilty pleasures they secretly share?
This film is a reflection on the quiet moments that define us, and how, even in the most ordinary of routines, we are constantly negotiating who we are and how we present ourselves to the world.