Team Lead Statements
Directors Biography
Mia Innocenti grew up on the Gold Coast and
attended Griffith Film School to study animation and major in 2D animation. Mia’s film ‘Elephant’ was chosen to be produced as a graduate film, giving her the chance to make her directorial debut. Her main career goal is to be a 2D animator and to produce more stories for young Australian audiences.
Directors Statement
I directed the film ‘Elephant’ in honour of my Nonna and my Dad. At the time of
creating this story I knew my Nonna was reaching the end stages of dementia
which had started back when I was little. Things became really difficult when my
Nonno, her husband, passed in the summer, and my dad took over as her main
care giver. The struggles, heartbreak, and frustrations my dad went through,
taking care of a mother who couldn’t remember him, really shook me to my core. It
was then I really saw the impact of this disease, that’s when I started to realise
how important this story is not just to me but to others with loved ones suffering
from the same condition.
Daughter in ‘Elephant’ is struggling with this exact situation. She clings onto
memories hoping her mother will remember her as her daughter. But day in and
day out nothing changes and things just become a blur to both. This film has
helped me to grieve the loss of a woman who was so important to me as a child, I
only wish I could’ve gotten to know her as a woman. To those with loved ones with
dementia this story was made and crafted with love for you.
Producers Biography
Tenzin Kelly-Hall is an Australian concept artist, animator, 2D puppet rigger, and producer
graduated from Griffith Film School in 2024 with a double major in Art Direction and Animation. She is deeply passionate about both creating and producing compelling stories that reflect real-life experiences/relationships within both grounded and fantastical settings.
Producers Statement
Like the director Mia Innocenti, my grandmother has also been affected by
dementia. I was deeply moved by the story when I was shown the first draft
animatic for ‘Elephant’, surprising Mia when I embarrassingly started to tear up in
a classroom full of people. Dementia often feels like its own elephant in the room,
such a delicate and sensitive topic that affects so many people, and yet is rarely
talked about.
Elephant is a purposeful short film that resonates with a wide range of people
within the common, yet rarely talked about, experience of loving someone with
dementia - created by people who deeply care about and have firsthand
experience with this topic. The passion and talent of the crew was truly incredible
to witness firsthand, and I am honoured to have supported this film as their
producer and help bring this deeply collaborative project to fruition.
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Art Directors Statement
Similarly to the Director and Producer, I have had family who lived with dementia
towards the end of their lives, and seeing these changes take place in someone,
while being so young, leaves a lasting impact; on both myself and mother, and so,
I wanted to capture the period of change that a person goes through when they
become the parent in the parent-child dynamic. This change can happen anytime,
not just in hospice. A mix of young and old, confusing and clear, fast and slow,
mature and immature – something that could convey the feeling of uncertainty, a
fine balance between places as day turns to night and a new day begins.
Art Directors Biography
Phoebe Blanchard is a Brisbane born visual
development artist and animator, graduating from Griffith Film School in 2024 with a Bachelor of Animation, majoring in art direction with a passion for animating. She aims to help create animation that highlights the beauty of the medium as a concept artist or animator for film or T.V.
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