Short Film

HEATWAVE

“In the midst of a searing heatwave, two little children find a way to cool everyone down.”

Heatwave is a multi-awarded stop-motion comedy short, created in 2019 using a hybrid animation technique combining cut-out, claymation and thousands of replacement pieces.

  
    Stop Motion
Replacement

As the tempo of the score increases along with the visitors’ repetitive motions, two children eventually find a way to cool everyone down. Building from his childhood memories, Xenos delivers a sun-drenched yet playfully realised environment that will surely be reminiscent of many viewers’ own trips to the beach when young.

REBECCA ROSÉN
flipscreened.com
"The fact that this was a project close to Xenos’ heart is obvious, and it’s ultimately what makes Heatwave such a crowd-pleaser. It’s the kind of personal connection to your work, which allows you to poke fun at it, but always with love, respect and a pinch of nostalgia."

SERAFIMA SERAFIMOVA
shortoftheweek.com
"I don’t know if it is the soundtrack, the bright colours or the overall design of this film but Heatwave just makes me want to grab my bucket and spade and head for a day at the beach. In little over 7 minutes, director Fokion Xenos manages to transport his audience to a Greek Islands."

AARON WOOD
skwigly.co.uk

Screenshot 2024-09-25 at 12.44.19 PM.png

Screenshot 2024-09-25 at 12.44.01 PM.png

Screenshot 2024-09-25 at 12.43.44 PM.png

Screenshot 2024-09-25 at 12.43.22 PM.png

Screenshot 2024-09-25 at 12.43.07 PM.png

Screenshot 2024-09-25 at 12.46.08 PM.png

Directed & Animated by Fokion Xenos

Produced by Priya K. Dosanjh
Story by Fokion Xenos & Stella Heath Keir
Cinematography by Brenden Freedman
Edited by Stella Heath Keir
Music Composed by Andreas Gutuen Aaser
Sound Design by Kevin Langhamer
Production Design by Antonio Niculae
Production Managment Joseph Phillips
Modelmaking Lead by Thanos Kantzavelos
Character Design & Animation by Alexandros Apostolakis
Colour by Liz Glennard
Production Assistants Amy Veracombe Pia Kaiser
Sets and Props by Harry Saxon Thanos Kantzavelos
Animation & Modelmaking Assistants Georgie Beattie George Carman Lottie Buchanan

Matte Paintings by Stefanos Pletsis
Graphics & Titles Christos Panagiotou
Keying & Compositing Max Murray Daniel Quirke
Production Co Ordinator Alessandra Gonella
Marketing & Publicity Executive Alexandre Ermakov
Additional Props & Models Evan Nyack Gemma Byrne

HEATWAVE

“In the midst of a searing heatwave, two little children find a way to cool everyone down.”

"The fact that this was a project close to Xenos’ heart is obvious, and it’s ultimately what makes Heatwave such a crowd-pleaser. It’s the kind of personal connection to your work, which allows you to poke fun at it, but always with love, respect and a pinch of nostalgia."

"I don’t know if it is the soundtrack, the bright colours or the overall design of this film but Heatwave just makes me want to grab my bucket and spade and head for a day at the beach. In little over 7 minutes, director Fokion Xenos manages to transport his audience to a Greek Islands."