Private Project

In The Shadow of The Sequoia

Although he doesn’t yet know it, young Sibbi and his family live at the bottom of a vast underground vault. As the only remaining inhabitants of their small village, they follow the ancient instructions to care for the massive sequoia which reaches so high that it vanishes from sight. It is from this distance that a small cone falls into his arms, crying for him to return it to the canopy and setting him on an adventure with new companions and enemies he couldn’t have imagined. Where he learns that no matter how simple he may want his life to stay, sometimes the world has other ideas, and that the most unassuming among us may also be the strongest.

  • Caleb Hystad
    Director
    Valley of The Lanterns, The Troll of Bell Lake
  • Caleb Hystad
    Writer
    Valley of The Lanterns, The Troll of Bell Lake
  • Caleb Hystad
    Producer
  • Colin Curwen
    Producer
    Young George and The Dragon, Young George and The Dragon 2, Valley of The Lanterns, The Troll of Bell Lake, Sunburnt Unicorn
  • Lili Beaudoin
    Key Cast
    "Sibbi"
  • Seth Isaac Johnson
    Key Cast
    "Vale"
  • Michael Dobson
    Key Cast
    "Abbot, Worm Kid #2"
  • Ecstasia Sanders
    Key Cast
    "Rosa"
  • Cherilynn Fulbright
    Key Cast
    "Ren"
  • Jason Simpson
    Key Cast
    "Worm King, Worm Kid #3"
  • Tabitha St Germain
    Key Cast
    "Geo, Cone Child, Worm Kid #1"
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Feature
  • Genres:
    Family, Fantasy, Adventure, Children
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 25 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    December 31, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    2,952,588 CAD
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.35:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Distribution Information
  • NMS Releasing Inc.
    Distributor
    Country: Canada
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Caleb Hystad

Best known for Directing the Smithsonian Channel animated series "Raven Tales" and his own feature film "Valley of the Lanterns". Caleb got his start as Assistant Director on a 2002 CTV Christmas special, and has now been Directing and Writing in animation for over 20 years. Born in Edmonton Alberta, and living in the mountains of beautiful British Columbia, he’s a full-grown man who seriously loves making cartoons.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

A movie such as this does not come along whole cloth. At least not for me. The original concept was based on a story figment from over a decade ago, mixed with the suggestion that the characters be animals, and soaked in my own feelings of unease of the world after our shared pandemic. However much I may attempt to tell a story far from our times, there is little escape from the themes that somehow slip their way in undetected.

Prior to this movie, my antagonists have been mostly misunderstood, or misguided but redeemable. I have always carried the responsibility to deliver a message of some worth to younger viewers seriously, with the idea that others may simply be different, without being irredeemable, as an important one. After all, we are making cartoons! Although, this time I felt the need to display an actual villain. One who simply wants what others have, and has only temporary loyalty to those who attempt to placate him. The Worm King demonstrates that there are those who are not simply different and redeemable, but are worthy of standing united against. Contrarily, young Sibbi leads a simple life and asks for nothing, but is forced into his serious responsibilities by stakes which he did not have a part in. He fits no heroic mold, but succeeds heroically through his reliance on others and a determination to do what is right and good. While he often falls, he does not give up. This is central to the film, and something I thought was worth saying.
Similarly to the story, the style was also something discovered. Animation is such a combination of technical, artistic, and practical choices that the combination of an experienced and trusting team cannot be overstated. Especially when working at the speed and small size we had. In the end, we all wore a lot of hats, made things the best we could, and continued ahead while aiming for the best. Like young Sibbi, I now stand at the end of my own adventure. Proud of the team and our accomplishments, while looking forward to what comes next.