Bella Signs Directors Ambient Press for US Representation
November 24, 2025
Mining a real-life relationship to craft a surreal tale full of insects and insight, director/animator Zohar Dvir merges 3D characters into a 2D world for her short film Butterfly Kiss which is eligible for the 98th Academy Awards.
Zohar Dvir: “I’m inspired by directors like Lynch and Kubrick, whose films blend philosophy, horror, and comedy. This film draws from vintage horror — not to scare, but to disturb and provoke thought. It takes place in an undefined present with retro-futuristic design.
“This film draws from vintage horror — not to scare, but to disturb and provoke thought.”
“The film is created with computer animation [Blender and TVPaint], combining 3D characters with backgrounds and elements made in traditional animation. Just as the two techniques coexist but remain visually distinct, so too are the characters estranged from their environment.
“The city is designed in the spirit of British Brutalism, which I became drawn to while living in London. The couple’s apartment is retro but cold, evoking discomfort — a nod to Hitchcock and Lynch. The vintage aesthetic ties into the theme of resisting change.”
Production: Fabian&Fred, The Hive Studio
Director: Zohar Dvir
Editor/Modeler/Character Designer/Storyboard: Zohar Dvir
Producer: Fabian Driehorst, Amit Russel Gicelter
3D Animator: Harry Bhalerao, Zohar Dvir, Valya Paneva
2D Animator: Amit Cohen, Katia Korzinov
Lighting/Render: Daniel Almagor
Compositor: Aviv Ziv
Original Music: Hila Ruach
Song: “My Baby Won’t Laugh”
Sound Design: Max Gausepohl
Sound Mix/Rerecording Mixer: Sascha Heiny
Voice Cast
Carol: Carolina Lehan
Ray: Michal Porat
Radio Broadcaster: Lior Dvir
