This animated short introduces us to Grace, a 10-year-old girl who uses her creative superpowers to navigate the emotional landscape of her mother's depression. It's an inspiring portrait of family, adversity, and resilience. Using hand-drawn animation to bring two distinct worlds together – the muted, solid world of reality and the saturated palette of Grace's imagination – the film offers a textured story full of surprises, challenges, and emotions. A moving collaboration between writer/filmmaker Wanda Nolan and animator Claire Blanchet.
This animated short introduces us to Grace, a 10-year-old girl who uses her creative superpowers to navigate the emotional landscape of her mother's depression. It's an inspiring portrait of family, adversity, and resilience.
This animated short without words explores 10-year-old Grace’s experiences with her mom’s depression. Use as an introduction to the process of providing mental health support. Why is there no dialogue in this short? What do you think the animals and imaginary world represent for Grace? Books and films can often serve as a means of supporting our mental health in difficult times. As a class, brainstorm ways you can support yourself during a difficult or lonely time.
Mystery of the Secret Room, Wanda Nolan, provided by the National Film Board of Canada