Synopsis: Little Snow is gifted with the power to conjure up magic by writing with her tails! But being a playful cub, she will get into all sorts of silly troubles and adventure because of it! From Singapore.

Juror comments: The 2D animated short Fox Tales, Summer Night has very entertaining characters and a unique educational angle. This film is visually appealing and professionally executed, thanks to animation by Darren Kuah.

The story follows Snow, a young fox, who has the ability to conjure up magic by writing with her tail. When her parents set rules for Snow and her siblings, she tries to find loopholes with her powers and gets into a sticky situation.

The immersive and enthralling storyline captured my attention for the entire six-minute span. I found myself wondering what would happen next, and especially enjoyed the educational angle in the last quarter of the film. It's wonderful to learn new things from films and I'm happy to say that Fox Tales, Summer Night taught me more about the legend of Hou Yi, a Chinese folktale.

The camera work, though relatively simple, helps carry the short film’s plot steadily and with stability. The most masterful animation and camera work occur during the ‘shooting down the Sun’ scenes. The characters are quite intricate; all the animals look realistic and are anthropomorphic, with the ability to speak. The film takes place in a forest somewhere in Asia (most likely Singapore or China, given the myths mentioned). Crisp and detailed, the animation adds a playful aura to the production. The music and sound effects, which are minimal, serve as either a comedic or emphatic purpose or are smooth segues to the next scene. The tracks seem like royalty-free music, but for a cartoon-style short film, that’s okay. Sebastian Law directed and wrote the film. Chia Su Ping voice-acts the role of Snow with great conviction; her bright and clear delivery adds sharpness to the role and makes Snow’s persona three-dimensional. She truly steals the show! Nadia Ramlee lends her voice to Didi, a grey fox who is Snow’s friend. Ramlee portrays the role in a commendable manner. You learn a bit about Chinese myths, specifically that of Hou Yi from this film. The delicately sprinkled-in comedy with jokes and chuckle-eliciting dialogue is totally aligned with the sense of humor of older viewers as well as the target audience. It makes a lovely addition to the film.

The message of the film is that “rules exist for a reason, and if you break them, there will be consequences.” The story encourages kids to be obedient to their parents.

I give this film 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 3 to 6, plus adults. This would make a lovely addition to a KIDS FIRST! Film Festival with its sweet message, fun animation, and a one-of-a-kind educational angle. Reviewed by Eshaan M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic