“Films like this don’t come along very often.”

A vulnerable mother reluctantly follows the lights of the forest, attempting to overcome her grief. Runelight is about the permanent impact that loss can have on our lives, and a reflection on how it can feel as though our world is literally changing around us.

Let’s begin with something quite crucial about this film, Runelight was solely animated by filmmaker Matt O'Donnell himself, and what an achievement it is! It’s no wonder Runelight has performed so well on the festival circuit, films like this don’t come along very often. The sheer scale and emotion throughout the film is compelling and truly powerful.

The story itself is told through compelling animation alone and without the need for dialogue. This speaks volumes in itself as it showcases O'Donnell’s ability as an animator. The film explores a dramatic theme and does it with depth and care, something only builds over the course of the film. It’s both sweet, magical and tragic all at once. This is a perfect example of how animation can take on serious stories such as this and explore them in ways not possible with live action.

Now onto the animation itself! There is certainly an Avatar meets Brave look to the film which is not a bad thing, and it still manages to create something distinct and unique to itself. The use of practical lights from within the forest works incredibly well at creating a rich colour palette full of depth. The textures and world building looks like it took some time but certainly adds to the overall production quality of the film. We expect even experienced animators would be surprised to find out it was made by a single filmmaker.

The sound design is certainly worth pointing out as it’s so important here and works seamlessly with the film and helps to create that immersive quality. This film offers a lot with regard to sound design as there are a lot of moving parts to the story. It’s subtle, realistic and not overstated, a perfect blend which matches the high calibre visuals.

Interestingly the score was created by three musicians, Conor McKeever, Ben Parry and Benedict Madden, which manages to express the powerful visuals incredibly well. The slow melancholy pace and emotive connection with the story is a perfect fit. It’s subtle and doesn’t overshadow what’s on-screen, this is how you write a score for an animation with soul.

Runelight is an exceptional film as well as animation. It showcases a powerful and dramatic story that only deepens the more you watch it. Matt O'Donnell had a clear direction for this film and demonstrates his ability as a talented filmmaker…

— APEX Film Awards