Grounded

Chris
Callus

Chris is an experienced animator and emerging director with over a decade of work across commercial, corporate and creative projects. Their credits include animating the short film ‘Shmeat’, which screened at Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival and was selected for ‘New Zealand’s Best’ at the New Zealand International Film Festival. More recently, Chris animated an official fan-led music video for Ed Sheeran’s song ‘Punchline’. As a regular entrant in New Zealand’s 48Hours Film Competition, their animated entries have achieved multiple successes, including 2025’s Grand National Champion film ‘Grounded’. Chris has a Bachelor of Design Innovation and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Psychology, with a particular interest in projects that support mental health, neurodiversity and the LGBTQIA+ community.

As ladybugs take off with the new day, Bug stays on the ground. With a spider’s help, he faces the weight holding him down. A gentle story about support.

This film screens as part of the programHodgepodge and Other Animations.