The bumper crop of student films from the 2016 CalArts Character Animation program includes “You Look Scary” by Xiya Lan and “Desert Critters” by Li Wen Toh – both demonstrate outstanding storytelling talents while using fully divergent styles, techniques and narrative structures.

Xiya Lan: “Sometimes we amplify our fears. Actually they re not big deals at all! The lyrics is Russian mean “This is scary. I am scared. Can I leave? This is dangerous.” Thanks Luke Morin for the amazing music and beautiful singing. Thanks Ben Huff for the sound design!

Li Wen Toh: “A Desert Fox finds his everyday life ruined when he gets tailed by a younger puppy that just wants to be his friend! The puppy’s name is Nibbles. Score by Lucien Ye.”

Watch all the CalArts 2016 films here.