Table of Contents
Three Key Takeaways
- Dimitris Armenakis explores the consumer-consumed relationship through an unusual animated lens, focusing on characters rarely given a voice: the consumed.
- The film’s distinct aesthetic and tone reflect Armenakis’ evolving artistic identity, blending grotesque and cartoonish elements to create a singular narrative experience.
- Despite economic challenges, the filmmaker stresses the resilience and motivation required in independent animation, especially for creators outside major industry hubs.
Greek animator and director Dimitris Armenakis brings his latest short, The Synthetic Age, to FilmQuest 2025, continuing his exploration of a unique animated universe.
Having premiered at Annecy in 2024, the film combines grotesque and cartoonish storytelling to depict a city where cartoons are consumed—and where a dog and his friends seek escape.
Armenakis helmed writing, directing, character design, and editing, backed by producer Alexis Anastasiadis and composer Will Turner.
Supported by TVPaint and Toon Boom licenses, this Balkan production is a testament to creative perseverance.
What drew you to make The Synthetic Age? Why this story, and why now?
The urge to tell the story of the consumers and the ones being consumed, but from the point of view of the latter mostly.
What surprised you most about the filmmaking process this time—creatively or logistically? Was there a moment on set or in post that completely changed how you saw the story?
The story was set for the most part before the animatic, but I saw some drastic changes during pre-production. Storytelling in narrative animated short films feels like a formula: either a shot works, or it feels like a filler.
Is there a moment in the film that feels the most you—something only you could have made?
The whole vibe and aesthetic I'd say, it's become part of my identity over the years and is felt through my entire filmography and commissioned work.
What was the hardest creative decision you made while making this film?
2D Animation contains hard decision making in the sense that the editing can't follow the motion, they must happen simultaneously during the animatic where the storyboard comes to life. I won't hide that I had to throw out of the window a few scenes which took from days to weeks of animating, because they didn't make it in the final cut.
"The urge to tell the story of the consumers and the ones being consumed, but from the point of view of the latter mostly."
What do you hope audiences take away from your film?
I love seeing people in the audience cracking up or shouting, so any type of expression during the screening is more than welcomed! Aside from that of course, I think that the sense of unity in our communities and caring for others is something that we should remind ourselves every day.
"The whole vibe and aesthetic I'd say, it's become part of my identity over the years and is felt through my entire filmography and commissioned work."
How has this film shaped or shifted the kind of stories you want to tell next?
As the film's set in a similar universe as in my previous short animated All You Can Eat, I think I'd like to explore this world a bit more. I feel there more stories to be told from different aspects and new characters joining.
What’s a tool, technique, or resource that really helped you during production?
At this point I'd really like to thank TVPaint Animation for trusting my vision and helping out my colleagues with their software. Also, The Synthetic Age won the Balkan Animation Forum Award in Thessaloniki Animation Festival back in 2022, which was accompanied by a Toon Boom license, which definitely came in handy!
Independent filmmakers often rewrite the rules out of necessity. What do you think is the greatest strength of independent filmmaking, and how did you lean into that on this project? Is there a lesson or breakthrough you’d share with others navigating this path?
As the film was produced from a small country in the Balkans, Greece, I'd say that despite the economic restrictions that young filmmakers might and probably will be facing, the motivation must stay strong during the whole process.
"Keep making films no matter what!"
What does it mean to you to have your film selected for FilmQuest, one of the world’s top reviewed genre film festivals?
It feels great! We're really excited to be part of a fantastic festival such as FilmQuest!
FilmQuest celebrates genre filmmaking across fantasy, horror, sci-fi, and more. How does your film fit within—or push the boundaries of—genre storytelling?
The Synthetic Age has a weird mix of grotesque and cartoony aspects in storytelling. In a nutshell, I could say that I like making films that'd feel unique to me as a viewer.
Where do you see this film going next?
The film premiered last June in Annecy International Animation Film Festival and since then it's been having a great run, we're hoping for a good run in 2026 as well!
"At the core of all my work is a desire to say untold truths, even if the film's non verbal."
Cast & Crew
- Dimitris Armenakis — Writer, Director, Character Designer, Storyboard Artist, Editor, Voice Actor
- Alexis Anastasiadis — Producer
- Will Turner — Music Composer
- Stelios Koupetoris — Sound Designer
- Voice Actors: Kelly Saravanou, Despoina Ksenopoulou, Michalis Kalligeris
- Animators: Hristos Papandreopoulos, Panos Koutivas, Kostas Firinidis, Simona Mehandzhieva, Nikolas Kolliniatis, Alexandros Apostolakis
- Background Artists: Konstantinos Nicolaou, Dimitris Armenakis
- Color Correction: Maria Tzortzatou
