The Fabric of You

Unable to show his true identity, Michael, a grieving tailor mouse, recounts and reckons with the memories of a past lover.

Year: 2019

Writer/Director: Josephine Lohoar Self

Producers: Calum Hart, Reetta Tihinen

Executive Producers: Holly Daniel, Paul Welsh, Carolynne Sinclair Kidd, Ross McKenzie

Synopsis

Set in the Bronx, in the era of 1950s McCarthyism, everybody wants to look the same. Michael a gay, twenty-something-year old mouse, hides his true identity while he works as a tailor. When Isaac enters the shop one day he offers the escapism and love Michael craves. In Michael’s confined apartment, he becomes tormented by the memories of Isaac’s tragic death. Michael’s memories and flashbacks are triggered when he notices Isaac’s jacket draped on the back of a chair. Haunted by the solace Isaac once offered, he struggles to come to terms with his loss.

The Fabric of You is a BAFTA Scotland nominated short stop motion animated film written and directed by Josephine Lohoar Self. It stars Iain Glen as the voice of Issac and Damien Molony voicing the character of Michael.

The film is presented by the Scottish Film Talent Network and funded by the BFI and Screen Scotland. The film had its World Premiere at the 2019 Edinburgh Film Festival as part of The New British Animation 2 Strand and is currently on its festival run.

Read more about the film in this BFI Network interview with Writer/Director Josephine Lohoar Self and Executive Producer Paul Welsh. To keep up to date with the film’s progress throughout the year, as well as behind-the-scenes photos, follow the film on Facebook and Instagram.

Oscar aspirations

Since the film's 2019 Premiere at Edinburgh International Film FestivalThe Fabric of You has been nominated for a BAFTA Scotland award, and played at over 50 film festivals around the world. A major development in the film's journey arose in the summer of 2020 when it won the Oscar qualifying award of Best Animated Short at Palm Springs Shortfest (USA).

The win at Palm Springs means the film has reached the long-list for the Oscar Academy Award for Best Animated Short (2021). The next goal for the team is to make the Academy shortlist announced on 9 February 2021, with the hope of a full nomination and win further down the line.

Find out more about the film's Oscar journey, and how you can support.