On the Surface

Ada goes swimming in the Icelandic sea and reflects on raising a child in a country that feels nothing like home. As she enters the freezing water, she relives her traumatic pregnancy. Soon her swimming eases. Facing her fears is helping her heal.

Crew

Directed by

Fanny Sissoko
Screenplay

Fanny Sissoko
Director of Photography

Fanny Sissoko
Editor

Fanny Sissoko
Music Composer

Tariqh Akoni
Producer

Cary McQueen
Co-Producer

Fanny Sissoko
Sound Design

Tariqh Akoni, Hafdís Bjarnadóttir
Sound Engineer

Arnar Guðjónsson

About the film

Type

Animation
International Premiere Date

August 1, 2021, Fringe of Colour
Length

3 min. 56 sec.
Language

English
Original Title

Á yfirborðinu
International Title

On the Surface
Production Year

2021
Production Countries

Iceland
Icelandic Film Centre Grant

No
Production Format

Digital
Color

Yes
Screening format and subtitles

DCP

Cast

Main Cast

Enid Mbabazi

Company Credits

Production Company

Art With Impact

Festivals

2022
Le Chouette Festival
2022
Psarokokalo International Short Film Festival
2022
FESCAAAL
2022
Leiden Shorts
2022
Femfilm Oslo
2022
Detours en Cinecourt
2022
Figari International Short Film Fest
2022
Nova Frontier Film Festival
2022
Animafest ZAGREB
2022
Nickel Independent Film Festival
2022
Nickel Independent Film Festival
2022
Mostra de Cinemas Africanos
2022
Almagro International Film Festival
2022
Dotdotdot Open Air Kurzfilmfestival
2022
Flatpack Festival
2022
Quibdo Africa Film Festival
2022
Weird Market
2022
Elba Film Festival - Award: Heartwired Award
2022
Chacun fait son court
2022
Afrika Film Festival Köln
2022
Saint Paul Trois Châteaux
2022
La Toile des Palmistes
2022
iAfrica Film Festival
2022
Festival Court Derrière - Award: Won "Élie"
2022
CinemAfrica
2022
Lumières d'Afrique
2022
AZYL SHORTS
2022
Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival - Award: Special Mention
2022
Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival - Award: Special Mention of the Jury in the International Competition
2022
Seattle International Film Festival SIFF
2022
Palm Springs International ShortFest
2022
Nordisk Panorama Film Festival
2022
Boundless Film Festival
2022
Oska Bright Film Festival
2022
Cardiff Animation Festival
2022
Festival Filministes
2022
RVK Feminist Film Festival
2021
Encounters Film Festival
2021
Ottawa International Animation Festival
2021
Margate Film Festival
2021
Rex Animation Festival
2021
TIATbilisi International Animation Festival
2021
Art With Impact
2021
Fringe of Colour
2021
Mom Film Festival
2021
Festival of Animation Berlin
2021
Our Heritage, Our Planet Film Festival - Award: Winner Heartwired Award
2021
Lyth Arts Center Northern Lights Festival
2021
Animae Caribe International Animation & Digital Media Festival
2021
Tirafuorilalingua - Award: Special Mention
2021
London Migration Film Festival
2021
Cine-Sister Gateway Film Festival
2021
AfryKamera African Film Festival in Warsaw
2021
Young Nordic Competition