The team of Julie Majcher, Alexandra Delaunay-Fernandez, Sixtine Emerat, Marine Benabdallah-Crolais, and Scott Pardailhé-Galabrun creates one of the most entertaining and cutest animated shorts I’ve seen in a long time. It’s a complex yet simple adventure that masterfully comes full circle within a small time frame. So much about “#DoudouChallenge” reminded me of Pixar while also establishing its own hilarious style and niche, in the process.
On the road to her family vacation, Olivia, a 10-year old girl hooked on her phone and social media, is left on the side of the road by her parents in a highway service area. Alone with her rabbit plushie, he tries to get her off her phone to play, but things take an unexpected turn.
The premise is simple but also amounts to an important life lesson that really will resonate with the audience when the credits roll. The good thing about “#Doudouchallenge” is that is completely catches you off guard with its set up and has a good time taking what could have been a preachy short and transforming it in a hilarious scenario. The animation is rich and colorful and the character models really lend a life and heartbeat to such a meaningful message.
Although there is minimal dialogue, I was very much invested in the scenario with ten year old Olivia and her rabbit plushie. They’re a fun team that allows for some raucous comedy, including a fun dance number, and some mishaps that make their chemistry so charming. “#Doudouchallenge” (script by Julie Majcher) is first and foremost about growth and coming of age, and the more Olivia is left to her devices, the more she realizes that she’s lost grip of herself and her identity. It’s a wholesome message for the audience that we need a lot more of.
Cinequest Film & Creativity Festival occurs in San Jose March 7th – March 17th.