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The Wandering Balloon

A little balloon decides to leave home and travel the world, but soon realizes that there is no place like home.

*This short film has no dialogue. Only the title and credits are in English.

  • Leo Fajardo
    Director
  • Leo Fajardo
    Writer
  • Rosa Santos Gonçalves
    Writer
  • Leo Fajardo
    Producer
  • Paulo Fajardo
    Editor
    Leone's Almería
  • Leo Fajardo
    Animation
  • Leo Fajardo
    Key Cast
    "Balloon Puppeteer"
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    O Balão Errante
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Short
  • Runtime:
    1 minute
  • Completion Date:
    April 2, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    60 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    Portugal
  • Country of Filming:
    Portugal
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Escola Básica 2/3 Pampilhosa, Mealhada (Portugal)
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Escola Básica 2/3 Pampilhosa - Mealhada [School]
    Mealhada
    Portugal
    April 2, 2025
    Premiere
  • LIFANIMA - Lagos International Festival of Animation
    Lagos
    Nigeria
    October 7, 2025
    Official Selection
  • International Festival of Animation Films (Animaevka 2025)
    Minsk
    Belarus
    September 24, 2025
    Winner Children's Animated Creation
  • Lift-Off Filmmaker Sessions @Pinewood Studios
    Iver
    United Kingdom
    August 25, 2025
    Official Selection
  • ANIMASYROS - International Animation Festival
    Syros
    Greece
    September 22, 2025
    Official Selection
  • North Edimburgh Film Festival
    Edimburgh
    United Kingdom
    March 27, 2026
    Official Selection
  • Finger Lakes Film Festival
    New York
    United States
    February 27, 2026
    Official Selection
  • Moinho Cine Fest
    Matosinhos
    Portugal
    April 24, 2026
    Official Selection
  • Cachinus de Cine - International Youth Film Festival
    Cáceres
    Spain
    April 23, 2026
    Official Selection
  • Link International Film Festival
    Middlesex
    United Kingdom
    December 28, 2025
    Official Selection
  • Finger Mullet Film Festival
    St. Augustine, FL
    United States
    April 10, 2026
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Leo Fajardo

Leo Fajardo was born in 2011, in Coimbra, Portugal. He is an excellent student, nominated for the merit board for two consecutive years. He loves reading, writing, studying Geography and spending time with his friends.

Knowing everything there is to know about dinosaurs is his hobby and since he was eight years old he has been writing short stories alluding to his favorite movie, "Jurassic Park".

"The Wandering Balloon" is his first short film, developed in a school environment for the 3rd grade in Visual Education subject. The theme was suggested by the teacher Nelson Gomes, at [School] Escola Básica 2/3 Pampilhosa - Mealhada (Portugal).

Leo came up with the idea for the story, built the sets and manipulated the objects frame by frame. The process was supervised by his parents.

*This page was created under the supervision of an adult, as were the entries to film festivals.

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