IXCHEL

Ixchel is an animated short film inspired by the richness of Mayan culture, blending heritage and imagination to explore the spiritual world. The idea was born from a visit to the Mayan Museum in Cancun, where one of our team members encountered an artist --- Sandra Serrano Soto, whose abstract, tile-based art evokes the Mayan ancestral spirit. This artist’s modern style and ability to convey ancient stories through contemporary mediums fascinated us, and after reaching out, she shared her journey and inspiration with us. From her story, we developed the concept of a young girl’s magical encounter with her Mayan heritage.

The story follows a young Mayan-descendent girl who visits the grave of an elder, where she finds a painting of herself and the old woman. When she touches the artwork, she is transported into a surreal world inspired by the Popol Vuh, a Mayan text that describes the creation of the world and the mythical beings that shaped it. In this dreamlike journey, she witnesses the creation of her world, encounters gods and mystical creatures, and sees the impact of colonization, as fire symbolizing a new religion consumes parts of her heritage. She awakens with a sense of purpose, deciding to devote her life to preserving her culture through art. In her later years, she becomes the wise elder, ready to guide another young girl who resembles her, completing the cycle.

Our design team carefully researched Mayan symbols, traditional attire, and historical settings, striving to create a film grounded in cultural respect and authenticity. Through Ixchel, we honor the Mayan values of cultural heritage and the cycle of life. This project has taught us invaluable lessons on approaching other cultures’ stories with sensitivity and has deepened our understanding of collaborative, cross-cultural storytelling.