Experiencing Interruptions?

Tiff

When an argument erupts between his parents, a young boy named Sam finds himself caught in the crossfire.

Tiff follows the story of Sam, a cheerful young boy, whose world is turned upside down when he and his Mum accidentally break a precious ornament, igniting an explosive argument between Sam’s parents.

Sam’s imagination runs wild as he envisages the escalating conflict erupting into all out war between his parents.

In a desperate bid to halt the mounting tension, Sam decides he must fix the broken ornament for there to be any chance of his parents finding a peaceful resolution.

  • Sebastian Canning
    Director
  • Sebastian Canning
    Writer
  • Abbie Browning
    Producer
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Short
  • Runtime:
    3 minutes 37 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    July 7, 2024
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    No Dialogue
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Nightpiece Film Festival 2024 (Edinburgh Festival Fringe)
    Edinburgh
    United Kingdom
    August 24, 2024
    World Premiere
    Official Selection
  • London Breeze Film Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    October 24, 2024
    London Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Mind the Indie Film Festival

    Bulgaria
    November 22, 2024
    European Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Ealing Film Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Sebastian Canning

Sebastian has worked in the creative industries since 2013 as a director, writer and animator. With a degree in film from Bournemouth Film School and an MA in screenwriting, he launched his career in development roles at Vertigo Films and Stigma Films, before later joining Lionsgate to work on The Hunger Games Mockingjay.

With a love for doodling cartoons since he was a child, Seb was drawn to animation and the desire to create his own stories. Seb took the leap in 2019 and founded Scanning Productions, creating animations for prominent companies including KPMG, CapGemini and PwC.

Between commercial projects, Seb dedicated his time to creating Tiff, the debut short film from Scanning Productions.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Through ‘Tiff,’ I aimed to explore the impact of parental separation and conflict from a child’s perspective. When relationships break down, children often feel the strain and may even feel compelled to take sides. This film delves into the emotional turmoil a child experiences during such conflicts, highlighting the confusion and helplessness they often feel. Additionally, ‘Tiff’ touches on the influence of external factors, such as exposure to news, which can amplify a child's fears and anxieties.

I’m incredibly excited about ‘Tiff’ as my debut short film. This project allowed me to hone my craft in animated storytelling, transitioning from the commercial-focused work my studio typically produces and work with a brilliant team whose talent was instrumental in bringing this emotional story to life. The film also conveys a poignant message: despite a child's earnest desire to fix what’s broken, some things are beyond their control and cannot be easily mended.