Sticky

A peculiar kind of stick insect, which was not to be found anywhere else in the world, had lived on a little piece of land in the middle of the Tasman Sea called Lord Howe Island. Rats eliminated the island's population of this rare insect in 1918, when they reached the island via English boats. For years etymologists had thought them extinct, as they had many similar species. Yet in 2001, a team of scientists discovered a small population of stick insects from Lord Howe Island in the shrubbery on an island 25 km away called Ball's Pyramid. Australian animator Jilli Rose decided to render this heartening scientific achievement in animated form in order to appeal to the younger generations on which the future of our planet is dependent. A five-minute opening sequence overlaid with cello tunes shows the cause of this unique stick insect's supposed extinction. Afterwards, Nicolas Carlile takes the floor to tell the audience about their glorious rediscovery. The short animated documentary Sticky is primarily a joyful celebration of the diversity and tenacity of life. (Academia Film Olomouc)