BAFTA-winning artist reveals inspiration behind his mind-altering short film 'Crab Day'

Inspiration often comes from the most mundane and least expected scenarios and experiences, which lead to the most versatile and insightful thoughts. BBC shared that the BAFTA-winning animated short film received its inspiration from something quite like this. Ross Stringer received the prestigious award for making “Crab Day,” a short film that he revealed was inspired by his hometown, Great Yarmuth in Norfolk, United Kingdom. The young man, who went up on stage to receive his award, felt it was nothing less than a dream to be present among his favorite stars and watch them applaud him for his work. 

The 11-minute film is “a love letter to the seaside towns and small townsfolk,” Stringer said. “Crab Day” focuses on the story of a young boy who had to kill his crab as part of a community ritual to get the approval of his father. Stringer was studying in a film and television school in Yarmouth when he was making the wholesome film. “It’s based on my family and how I grew up in Great Yarmouth,” he revealed. He made the film with the idea of a personal love letter to the town, having spent a lot of time there studying, living and learning.

The film’s characters too, the dad and the boy, have connections to Stringer and his father. Stringer revealed that the entire story unfolds emotionally and the ending is a personal win for him based on his life’s experiences. “We wanted this to be an emotional story because it’s personal to me - my relationship with masculinity growing up, how I wanted to remain kind and sensitive,” Stringer highlighted. An 11-minute power and emotion-packed story is truly something worth rewarding.

To add to it, it also sheds light on the fragility and delicacy of emotions, especially for boys and men. “My dad didn’t cry at the first viewing [of the film], I think that’s because there were people around, but he did text me afterward and said 'I’m crying,’ so that’s a win for me," Stringer added. Stringer shared a post on Instagram with a heartfelt caption mentioning that he was beyond honored to be nominated for the award. He added that his win lay more with the relevance of the film and how it succeeded in resonating with many.

“Crab Day, a film made during my time at the NFTS, was nominated for a BAFTA last week. It’s hard to express the gratitude I have for everyone who was involved in the making of this film. Though simple at heart, the story came from a deeply personal place, inspired by the people and places I grew up around; it gives me great joy that so many people have resonated with it,” he wrote. The producer of the film, Bart Stanislewak, shared a post of the entire team with the BAFTA award, saying, “How else to mark 10 years since my first professional job within this industry than by winning a BAFTA!? That first image clearly shows how insane a journey it has been and that it truly takes a village.”

You can follow Ross Stringer (@_living_lines) on Instagram for more content on short films and art.