Private Project

King Emma

The film is based on conversations and interviews with children who have lost parents.

When Emma's father dies of cancer, Emma and her mother are left in deep grief. Unfortunately, Mom does not have sufficient mental resources to comfort and support Emma, and they slowly drifts apart.

Mother hides in a depression, while Emma desperately seeks refuge in the world of dreams and imagination - the world of her teddy bears. Here she can be King Emma!

Emma must learn, however, that even in her own kingdom, reality will chase her. The dream is not the refuge Emma had hoped for, but a nightmare where the true feelings and struggles with grief, loneliness and anger, are only amplified.

King Emma is a short psychological journey into the world of some children's sorrow and dispair. A flash of a reality and a desperate try to get a way from all that hurts.

  • Stefan Köhler Pellegrini
    Director
    The Panda Complex, Hunger, Liberation, GG Horsens, Emma og Julemanden, Os To
  • Mathieu Durand
    Art director & compositor
    70/30, Vitello, Brothers in Arms, Walk with me, Nymphomaniac
  • Simon Ternowitz
    Co-director & background supervisor
  • Anders Jeelsmark Mortensen
    Writer
    Noia, Gidseltagningen, Den geniale epoke, Out of the Blue
  • Kinneret Sarusie
    Producer
  • Halfdan E
    Composer
    Borgen, This Little Show of Mine, Domen, Seaside Hotel, Ragnarok, Gidseltagningen
  • Marie Marschner
    Key Cast
    "Emma (Voice)"
  • Theresa Hedelund
    Key Cast
    "Anne (motion capture)"
  • Anne Voigt Christiansen
    Key Cast
    "Mom"
  • Stefan Köhler Pellegrini
    Key Cast
    "The Teddy Bear"
  • Peter Seeba
    Sound designer
  • Anne Birk Petersen
    Animators
  • Maximilliam Madsen
    Animators
  • Corentin Monnier
    Animators
  • Maria Sandvig
    Animators
  • Marie Post Riggelsen
    Animators
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Kong Emma
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Experimental, Short, Student, Other
  • Genres:
    Fantasy, drama, documentary, children, reality, animation
  • Runtime:
    6 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    February 9, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    7,428 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Denmark
  • Country of Filming:
    Denmark
  • Language:
    Danish
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - The Super8 Film Education, Aarhus Denmark
Distribution Information
  • Zentropa
    Distributor
    Country: Denmark
    Rights: Video on Demand, Pay Per View, Hotel, Airline, Ship, Video / Disc, Free TV, Paid TV, Console / Handheld Device
Director Biography - Stefan Köhler Pellegrini

Born 1985, is a Danish-Italian director and storyteller. Stefan has been working with film, theater and storytelling since he was 15 years old. He graduated from The University of Aarhus as a Master of Arts in film, theater and storytelling in 2015, and graduated from The Super8 Film Education in 2020.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

King Emma! My little child! This tiny short film has been a long way in the making! It is difficult to describe our little baby.

I'm very proud of King Emma's background, it's purpose and how it was made. Behind the film lies many sad interviews with children who lost their parents. The film is based on these children's escapism and mood. Way to often we forget to embrace these children. They need all our love! With this film, we try to send a message! To wake up our society and to give these children a voice, so that they can get more help to process their terrible loss.

We've made this film for no money, and with a team of young talented animators and film makers from all around the world. It was our goal to show that it is possible to do animation even on a small budget. Also we wanted to create a collaboration between actors, live action film makers and animators.

It has been quite a journey, and Im very proud of our result.