retired search and rescue dog begins to sense that the boy who came back isn’t the same one who vanished. Unable to warn his family, the dog must return to the forest alone to face an ancient presence and recover the real child.
life with his former handler HAZEL and her young son, AIDAN, with whom he shares a deep bond. But when the boy vanishes in the nearby woods during a storm, the dog’s instincts are put to the test. He fails; the boy is found, but not by him. Still, all seems well at first. But Echo senses that the boy who came back is not the same one who was lost. Something is deeply wrong. As Echo grows more suspicious of the eerie imposter child, he is cast out by the very family he’s trying to protect. Alone, he ventures deep into the woods, uncovering the real Aidan imprisoned by shadowy forces. Exhausted and wounded, Echo drags the boy back, only to find his place in the family usurped by the imposter child, and even a false version of himself; one younger, more behaved, more perfect. Echo is left uncertain whether he’s the hero or the monster of this story.
COLD TRAIL is one of my most ambitious, atmospheric, and personal stories. At its core, it explores trust and purpose: how do you move forward after the people you love most no longer trust you? It examines our deep desire to be heard, understood, and loved for who we are, alongside one of our greatest fears: being replaced. I knew from the beginning there was no better way to explore these ideas than through the eyes of a dog. Dogs embody a kind of loyalty, desperation, and instinct that feels both deeply emotional and deeply vulnerable. Through Echo, I’m able to explore what it means to know something is wrong, and to be unable to make others believe it. The film also draws from doppelgänger and changeling folklore, but reinterprets it through a more nuanced, personal lens; one centered on being misread or dismissed, particularly in ways that echo the myth’s historical connection to neurodivergence. Notably, this story is dark – no doubt the darkest story I, the artist, have ever taken on – but it is by no means hopeless. I believe the ambiguity of the ending will leave the characters, and the audience, room to think, reflect, and grow. I want COLD TRAIL to uniquely take advantage of animation in order to craft a bold and personal narrative. I’m excited to see it evolve further; it’s a story I care deeply about, and I hope you will too. – Madye Arundale Medium: 2D Animation Genre: Psychological/supernatural horror Runtime: ~ 4 minutes
a successful life; he’s rescued dozens of lost children, pets, and elderly folks in his time. He’s retired now, and starting to wonder what his purpose is, if not to save and protect. As he searches for Aidan, and as his owner loses trust in her beloved dog, he too begins to lose trust in himself.
of butterflies, broccoli, and other kids. But Echo always loved him. After that night lost in the woods, his behavior transformed; he became well-behaved, polite, and agreeable. His mother was thrilled and relieved that their boy was home safe, better than ever. …Where is he really hiding…? HAZEL, the mother Hazel is a good mom. The only thing Hazel loves more than Echo, her search-and-rescue partner of ten years, is her little boy. Still, it’s hard to see her beloved dog getting older. Her trust in Echo is tested when he fails to find her lost son, and then becomes aggressive towards him when the boy comes home. What’s happening to him?
animator, and a recent graduate of Brown University. She creates emotionally driven stories driven by music, surrealism, and unique relationships between characters. Since graduating, she has been focused on developing her craft and building a foundation as a director and independent filmmaker, with an emphasis on building community within animation and a willingness to experiment and grow through the process. COLD TRAIL is a project she cares deeply about, and one she is eager to continue developing through collaboration, mentorship, and creative dialogue. She is excited by the opportunity to push the film, and herself, further than she could ever imagine.
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