Logline: A cute little caterpillar runs into big trouble trying to get to the last delicious leaf on a tall tree.

Current Status: Completed

Genre: Family/Comedy

Length: 1 min 36 sec

Writer: Gwyneth Christoffel

Director: Gwyneth Christoffel

Producer: Gwyneth Christoffel

About the director: Canadian-born animator and filmmaker, Gwyneth Christoffel, has been creating since 2009. Her short films and animations have screened hundreds of times at festivals around the world.

Looking for (ie buyer, distributor, sales agent, producer, media interest): All!

1. Congratulations! Why did you decide to make this film?

I decided to make this film because I had been creating different types of animations for a while, but had never tried the traditional, hand drawn style. I had received a drawing tablet for my computer as a gift and had the urge to begin the film right away. I chose a caterpillar as the main character because I was interested in animating its unique body movements.

2. Why is the film called The Last Leaf? Is it a specific or universal story?

The names of my films are always my last concern. I focus on the story and animation portions first and after I see the finished product, the film title forms itself. Since the last leaf on the tall tree is what causes all the action in the film, I thought it would make a fitting title.

The story is pretty universal and has been seen in many different forms. The film aims to communicate that one should think twice before giving into greed

3. How did you find the story?

The story formed after I drew some concept art of the main caterpillar character. I’d drawn him with these big eyes and chubby features. I immediately identified him as a greedy personality. Then the story wrote itself!

4. What type of feedback have you received so far?

The feedback for this film has been wonderful and I am thrilled. I was able to attend a screening filled with elementary school children a while back. They giggled the whole way through and reacted to all the right moments. Since I created this film for that specific audience, it was the best feedback I could have received.

5. Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

I have received feedback on the film from adults as well. Some side with caterpillar and its actions, which was not my intent when making the film, but everyone has their own opinions. It’s caused me to open my mind and view certain things in film (and life) from other points of view.

6. What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on this platform?

By having my film more visible on this platform, I’ll be able to spread the message and moral of the film even wider. I am also a young filmmaker, so any chance to share my work is a great opportunity.

7. Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify the message of this film?

I would love for anyone to come on board to amplify the message of this film, whether they are sales agents, distributors or film festival directors. The film is quite short, but the perfect length to hold a viewer's attention long enough for them to grasp the message.

8. What type of impact would you like this film to have?

I would like people who watch my film to have a good laugh, but think about the message of the film going forward.

9. What’s a key question that will help spark a debate about this film?

A key question that will help spark a debate about this film would be, 'Was the caterpillar in the right by eating all the leaves of the tree and leaving none for the other critters? Why or why not?'

10. What other films are you developing or directing now?

At the moment, I am developing an animated documentary about misophonia, a condition in which certain sounds provoke strong negative emotional reactions in people. I have collected audio interviews from all over the world and am in the midst of animating the visuals. The film will be done by the end of June 2016.