Young Freya loves her dad, even though he doesn’t always give the same amount of love back. She learns that it’s not always easy to get recognition from your parents. We follow her journey and while growing up she develops a passion for climbing. However, her father doesn’t approve of it. His strong opinion weighs heavy on her and she carries his words with her, until it has taken over her life. She learns to overcome his negativity by realizing those words are just something her dad said and does not say anything about her worth. By accepting herself for who she is, she learns how to break free from her father’s opinion.
In late 2025 I was asked by HKU Animation Student Livia May to compose and create sound design for her short film: “Dad Said”. We worked in close collaboration to work out fine details and edits.
The film is currently going around the film festival circuit and has already won this years FilmFonds WildCard award for new animation.
Video:
As the video is still airing at festivals I can only preview the film upon request.
Credits:
Direction, Scenario & Image:
Livia May.
Voice:
Damaris de Jong.
Music and Sound Design:
Torin Vreeman.
Additional Concept Development:
Miles Dinjens.
Elysa Ketelaars.
Dana Alink.
Additional Storyboarding:
Sterre Eijk.
Carlotta Maiello.
Additional Animation:
Sanna de Vries.
Jordi van Leperen.
Tim Smink.
Yasmine Aarts.
Roxie Folkers.
Nina Fock.
Anouk de Clercq.
Lise van der Gaag.
Bram Fokkens.
Daan Mac Gillavry.
Francesca Fanigliulo.
Erik Waeijen.
Linda Beemer.