Tribeca 2023: ‘Corvine’ Encourages All Little Boys to Fly

Hand-drawn animated short Corvine follows an eccentric boy whose obsessed with crows.

From morning to night, he lives life as a crow. He eats like a crow. He even tucks feathers inside his clothing to look more like a crow. The neighbors encourage his imaginary play by feeding him along with the other birds.

When it’s time to go to school, the boy has trouble fitting in. They weren’t excited about crows like he is. He gets made fun of, and we slowly see that jubilant spirit die. He no longer visits the neighbor’s house to eat treats with the crows.

The neighbors notice their once lively friend is saddened and pay him a visit. They give his parents a card and we see the parents take this boy on a trip that ends at a ballet studio. The boy sees other people soaring through the air just like a crow and his spirit is rekindled again.

Writer and director Sean McCarron crafted a film that not only encourages people to find their passions but also encourages parents to help their children express themselves and find their community.

Aided by a light and enchanting score by Suad Bushnaq, Corvine also reminded me of the importance of being seen. The neighbors noticed the boy’s love of crows and connected it to something outside his imagination that carried the same spirit. Children need to feel seen, and one way is to ensure that their little fires stay burning.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars