Untravel is an award-winning stop-motion animation co-production between Serbia and Slovakia, co-directed and co-animated by Ana Nedeljkovic and Nikola Majdak Jr.

Untravel stands out for its unique style of storytelling and thought-provoking content. It’s a story that was first born from the personal experience of the filmmakers, growing up in Serbia during the 1990s during a period of crisis. A time when travelling abroad was basically impossible and life was lived to the backdrop of the war that broke apart the former Yugoslavia.

As is often the case, personal experience resonates beyond individual lives and the subject matter of Untravel can also be seen as a comment on huge topics in our society as a whole. Topics such as emigration, tourism, patriotism and the exploration of personal and political borders.

The story focuses on one girl, living in an isolated, dark, grey country enclosed by an enormous wall. This girl has spent her life dreaming of leaving her country for a perfect, utopian world she calls ‘Abroad.”

The city around her is shown as a hard, ruined place in varying shades of grey (expertly animated by the filmmakers). Life has not been kind here, and our protagonist is waiting for a promised future that has not yet arrived.

Told in voice over of broken English, the story explores the girl’s burning desire to leave her country and experience such things as “huge salaries, luxury hotels, equal opportunities, human rights, gender equality, and infinite possibilities.” In her recurring dream, none of these things ever materialise.

One day, she and a group of other girls from her country try to cross the border wall. Their conclusions as they make this leap are open to interpretation, but can be seen as a profound comment on personal identity, and what it means to be free.

Succinct, powerful, and beautifully animated, Untravel is a wonderful example of how short films can express huge ideas that stretch beyond borders.

Festivals and Awards (Selection):
Berlin International Film Festival 2018
Annie Awards 2019 Nominee: Best Animated Short Subject

Sarajevo Film Festival 2018: Nominee Best Short Film

Sundance Film Festival 2019

Watch Untravel Short Film Here: