Daughter of the Inner Stars

Daughter of the Inner Stars is the first episode of a new live orchestral film concert series for children aged 8–16, inspired by Peter and the Wolf. Blending live narration, original animation, and a sweeping orchestral score performed by a 65-piece orchestra, the series showcases the profound power of musical storytelling. Drawing from Ukrainian folklore, this enchanting fairy tale captivates audiences of all ages with its evocative music and rich visual artistry.

Directed by James Winson and animated by Inferstudio, the film will have its world premiere in August 2024 with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at the Sydney Opera House, conducted by Nick Buck. The story follows a young woman on a magical journey to reconnect with the ancient spirits of her winter planet and rescue her missing father.

As the lead character designer for the film, I created ten unique characters, including the protagonist, her father, a witch, a house spirit, a mermaid, a sea monster, and a treeman. Each design was crafted to enhance the film’s mythic atmosphere, ensuring that both the animation and music worked in harmony to bring this world to life.