A stop-motion puppet animation film, Reynard the Fox, directed by a former Bristol Film and Television student, Maddy Pull, with Professor Ad Putter, Professor of Medieval Literature in the Department of English, and Kristian Moen, Associate Professor in the Department of Film and Television, as Executive Producers, has won the 2025 Animalis Fabula Film Festival. The film was shown in San Antonio in late November and Maddy Pull was there to introduce it and to receive the award.
See the film on Vimeo (you need to register):
https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/1087476689/8c2ca63df9
Further information
The film, a whimsical fusion of creativity and craftsmanship, is a charming adaptation of the medieval beast epic The History of Reynard the Fox (1481). Produced by students of the University of Bristol and supported by the legendary Aardman Studios, the short pits the cunning fox, Reynard, against his brutish opponent, Bruin the bear, in a trial by combat over a stolen golden egg. The film explores the ancient question of which is mightier: brute force or the power of words.
Director Maddy Pull, whose journey into visual media began in Singapore and evolved from computer science after a butterfly-effect experience with a music video competition, brings a fresh and imaginative eye to this timeless tale. As Maddy Pull describes, the film is an 'intricately constructed world that breathes life into handmade sets and inanimate puppets', offering a captivating, modern interpretation of the classic fairytale.
Maddy Pull's creative process demonstrates a mastery of roles from screenwriter to set designer. Her journey, from her debut film Elements of Yunnan to her leadership on Reynard the Fox, is a testament to the dedication of young international filmmakers. #AniFab25 celebrates this achievement and the potent mix of history and modern animation on display.
Animalis Fabula Film Festival
