Something Borrowed (2020)

Pen to paper, a sweet old woman (Jane Horrocks) can’t find the right words. But when she lends her pen to a hopeless young chap, it’s more than just words that elude her.


2D digital animation in TVPaint and After Effects


National Film and Television School


Director and Animator: Micky Wozny

Producer: Andrew St Maur

Screenwriter: Nathan Hardisty

Editor: Jan Schroeder

Music: Ethan Jeffrey

Sound Designer: Ruth Knight

Background Artist and Compositor: Liam Hall


CAST:

Jane Horrocks (BAFTA and Golden Globe Nominee for “Little Voice”)

Jason Watkins (BAFTA TV Winner and Screen Actors Guild Winner for Ensemble Cast in “The Crown”)


Duration: 8 mins 5 sec


Awards and accolades:

Winner of 2020 New Designers Screening Award, supported by the Aardman Academy


I was blown away by the winning film Something Borrowed by Micky Wozny. It stood out as being a stunning example of a heartwarming story where every little detail was perfectly thought through. From the moment which kicked it all off, to the unique transitions between scenes and the overall colour palette. The director tells the story of a familiar subject in a way I’ve never seen before and the result is a work of art. It’s a beautiful short that I think will springboard this director onto many great projects in the future. 

- Lucy Izzard, Director, Aardman 

Winner Best Animated Film, Norwich Film Festival 2020


The film's use of animation to convey memory and loss of memory showed the audience without telling us what to feel. The hint of the colour violet was thoughtfully used throughout. Overall the film was heartbreakingly lovely without feeling maudlin; both a celebration of life (or lives) while acknowledging human loss.

- Arianne Sutner (Missing Link, Kubo and the Two Strings, ParaNorman)


Something Borrowed was a beautiful use of storytelling which used the medium in a lyrical way that supported the message. Micky Wozny created a story about dementia that was most likely very personal, yet found a way to pull the audience in to experience in a personal way for themselves. The story was intriguing, unexpected, and poignantly powerful in a way that brought tears to my eyes. The 2D production design and use of animation throughout was a perfect partners to the story. Well done!

- Jill Culton (Abominable, Open Season, Monsters Inc)