After the Spread, 3min., Canada, Musical
Directed by Ash K Tysowski
A group of teenagers navigate their night-life, and their emotions, to the song "After the Spread" by "the Idea of machines"

https://www.ashtanimation.com/animation/after-the-spread\

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

This film was a collaboration between myself and the Idea of machines. I was fresh out of college when they approached me to work on "After the Spread" and it's my first real gig as a professional animator. Full of ambition, I was motivated by the desire to get my work out there, to make a name for myself in the film and animation industry.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

From start to finish this film took me a year to complete. November 2025 to November 2025.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

Transformative and hopeful!

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

My biggest obstacle was a poor production choice of my own design. I won't get into the nitty gritty of the animation process but essentially I left my first pass of animation too rough. It made the whole of animation take much longer than it needed to as I needed to tighten up thousands of drawings. I ended up learning quite a bit from this mistake in the end though so it was all worth it.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

Watching the audience's reactions was very exciting! Before now I've only had my work praised by my close friends and family. It was gratifying to be recognized for my creative choices by a wider audience.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

I realized I wanted to be an animator, going hand in hand with making films in said medium, when I was in the 9th grade. I watched a lot of cartoons and animated films at the time. Not only was it just an interest of mine but it was something that helped me get through the rougher periods of my adolescence. Animation inspires and comforts me in a way nothing else does and I want to be able to pass that feeling on to someone else through my work.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

The film I've seen most in my life would either be the original "The Lion King" or "How to Train Your Dragon". Both were films I would watch on repeat as a kid and still like to give a rewatch to this day! Both are brilliant films despite their marketing towards a younger audience.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

My experience with this festival has been great! From my limited festival experience so far it seems like it provides more marketing opportunities than most. My only request may be public in person screenings. It was unclear to me whether or not that was something the Experimental, Dance and Music Festival offered.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

Filmfreeway has been great! It makes applying to festivals super accessible and makes the process quick and easy!

10. What is your favorite meal?

My favourite meal is probably spaghetti carbonara. I'm always excited for a good creamy pasta!

11. What is next for you? A new film?

Yup! Another film is already in the works. The Idea of machines and I have been in talks to collaborate on another video for their next album, it will serve as a bit of a follow up to After the Spread. So far I've got a start on concept art and pre-production for the new project!