Spotted Fawn Productions to Produce Animated Sundance Horror Film INKWO FOR WHEN THE STARVING RETURN as a Limited Series
Park City, UT, January 23, 2025 – Vancouver-based Spotted Fawn Productions has announced the development of a six-part animated series expanding on and populating the fascinating world of their critically acclaimed short film, INKWO FOR WHEN THE STARVING RETURN . The film, directed by Amanda Strong (Métis), has its Utah premiere in the Animated Shorts Film Program at the Sundance Film Festival this Friday following a distinguished eight-festival run beginning with its World Premiere at TIFF in September.
In the short, which becomes a de facto pilot for the series, two lifetimes from now the world hangs in the balance. Dove, a young, enigmatic, gender-shifting warrior, discovers the gifts and burdens of their Inkwo (medicine) to defend against an army of hungry, ferocious monsters. Dove’s courage, resilience and alliance with the Earth culminates in a battle against these flesh-consuming creatures, who become stronger with each body and soul they devour. INKWO FOR WHEN THE STARVING RETURN is a call to action to fight and protect against the forces of greed around us.
This epic animation, adapted from the collection of published and unpublished short stories and graphic novels Wheetago War, by award-winning storyteller Richard Van Camp (Tłı̨chǫ), features the voice talents of Tantoo Cardinal (LEGENDS OF THE FALL, KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON), Paulina Alexis (Reservation Dogs), and Art Napoleon (Moosemeat & Marmalade). Fabrication of the stunning puppets is by Standing Figure (WENDELL & WILD) and was puppet supervised by the incomparable Georgina Hayns (Guillermo Del Toro’s PINOCCHIO, CORPSE BRIDE).
In subsequent episodes, Dove continues their battle with the soul-stealing creatures. With revolutionary animation and a story based on award-winning Indigenous literature, the series explores the pre- and post-war world while also expanding on Dove’s epic journey of embracing the power of their Inkwo and taking a stand to defend the remaining humans and animals left on the Earth. The series will appeal to not only Generation Z audiences looking for captivating stories that meet them where they are, but also anime fans, horror fans, and queer audiences across the spectrum.
Strong has been tapped as showrunner for the series. Best known for her Emmy-nominated directing work on the PBS series Molly Of Denali, and for her visionary storytelling in BIIDAABAN: THE DAWN COMES, Strong is a Sundance Native Lab Fellowship recipient (the first Canadian Indigenous Fellow), a Red River Métis artist, writer, producer, director, and mother. A Canadian Screen Award and Emmy-nominated director, Amanda is the owner, director and executive producer of Spotted Fawn Productions. Her collaborative creations serve to amplify Indigenous storytelling.
Haydn Wazelle will executive produce the series. co-founder of Dada Ibis Media, with expertise in creative & line producing, production management, finance, business affairs, tax credit administration, and co-productions. Most recently, Haydn executive produced the feature films CAN I GET A WITNESS starring Sandra Oh, the CBC doc MUZIZI, and the stop-motion film INKWO FOR WHEN THE STARVING RETURN.
Founded in 2010, Strong’s Spotted Fawn Productions (SFP) is an Indigenous-led and community-oriented Vancouver-based studio focused on visionary illustration, stop motion, 2D, 3D and virtual reality animations. SFP are a hotbed of Indigenous, racialized, and LGBTQI+ talent.
Strong said, “I’m thrilled to bring Richard’s stories to life on screen. This is a dream come true, to see our characters and worlds expand and reach new audiences. It’s a humbling opportunity to explore the themes and emotions of INKWO FOR WHEN THE STARVING RETURN in greater depth, and I can’t wait to collaborate with our brilliant team to create something artistic, meaningful, and globally appealing.”
Wazelle added, “I’ve long admired Amanda’s groundbreaking work and her magic touch in captivating international audiences with their distinctive storytelling. Her innovative spirit and fearless approach make her the perfect choice to lead this epic series. I’m thrilled to collaborate with her to secure the resources and platform to bring this visionary story to the world. We can’t wait to share this extraordinary project with our global audience.”
INKWO FOR WHEN THE STARVING RETURN will first screen at Sundance on January 24th in the Animated Shorts Film Program at the Library Center Theatre, Park City at 8:30pm MST, with three additional in-person screenings to follow. The film will also screen online across North America January 29th, 7:00 AM PST through February 3rd, 3:55 AM PST.
