Pawns
Dale Kutzera
United States, 2026, 11 min.
In English.
This film is family friendly.
AIFF Award Winner:
Best Animated Short
A soldier trudges across a desolate battlefield. A shell rockets overhead and explodes in the distance. This is no game. And when the pawns learn the enemy isn’t planning to attack, they go on strike. This draws the anger of Castles, Knights, and the commanding Bishops. It’s left to the Queen to settle the problem, as everyone learns the best move is not making the first move.
Director's Statement
Pawns, my first animated film, is a simple story of underdogs challenging the system. Given the pervasive tension of recent years, the theme of being vigilant rather than beligerent is one of increased relevance in our conflicted world. These chess pieces learn the best move is often not to make the first one.
Category: Animation, Short, Award Winner.
Themes: War.
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