International Animated Film Festival

Synopsis

After years of losing to the annual shrine-making competition, disgruntled teenager Iso refuses to participate again, breaking their long-standing tradition. Without her friend Carlos to join her in this year’s competition, Iso lost all interest in ever joining the tradition again, which concerns her family. Deciding to bond with her remaining friends, Iso joins them to visit the haunted houses, but after an argument with her mother ensues, Iso runs away, leaving her worried family. She finds herself by the river where she and Carlos used to play. Tired from all the running and emotional stress, Iso lies down and wakes up to Carlos’ grinning face. Concerned for her friend’s odd behavior, Carlos hears her out and provides his own insight and encourages his friend to continue their craft and find meaning in creating it. Iso wakes up without a trace of Carlos and goes home to apologize to her family and reconcile with her mother. Together, they finish the shrine and pay tribute to the ones they lost, and Carlos finds peace knowing his friend will remember him fondly surrounded by the ones they love.