PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL SHORTFEST 2026 REVIEW! The impressionistic art form is great for giving off vibes and feelings to the viewer. The French short animated film To The Woods (Une Fugue), directed by Agnès Patron (and co-written by Johanna Krawczyk), has the aforementioned quality in spades. It’s about a sister reflecting on her close sibling connection with her brother, in a dream-like trip through a forest.
“…a sister reflecting on her close sibling connection…through a forest.”
There are no spoken words in the fifteen minutes of runtime. It’s the sister remembering her brother’s dark eyes and hair, both of them shirtless, going into the woods. They make a blood pact at home before they leave, and then he carries her on his back barefoot into their journey.
The animation is beautiful and impressionistic, with little touches like the sister resting her head on her brother while he carries her, showing the affection between the siblings. Our memories may deceive us on the exact details, but our feelings and emotions serve as strong reminders of our love.
To The Woods screened at the 2026 Palm Springs International Shortfest.
"…...our feelings and emotions serve as strong reminders of our love."
