Why

1.8 million people in Germany live with dementia, yet the illness remains heavily stigmatized and largely invisible in mainstream media. Those affected often feel ashamed and withdraw socially, while their families struggle with uncertainty and fear of doing something wrong. There is a lack of accessible, emotional narratives that foster empathy and reduce the fear surrounding this deeply human condition.

How

Through an entirely hand-drawn, frame-by-frame animated short film, the project tells the story of a boy and his grandfather who is living with dementia. By showing the condition through the eyes of a child, the narrative explores symptoms with emotional sensitivity and highlights the intuitive, creative ways in which children relate to their loved ones, often without fear or judgment.

What

far away is a silent animated short film that depicts the progression of dementia across all four seasons. Carefully illustrated scenes and characters are supported by custom sound design and music, allowing the emotional nuances to unfold without spoken dialogue. The film was created collaboratively, exhibited at the European Media Art Festival, and aims to open up a tender, non-verbal space for empathy, awareness, and conversation.