Vinod Bhat
New Delhi: “You can go to the sea and collect shells, build sandcastles, or someone might even find nirvana there. It all depends on what you take from the experience.” exclaimed filmmaker Dhwani Desai during an engaging discussion on storytelling, creativity and audience interpretation at the 19th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) 2026. Bringing together animation filmmakers from different artistic traditions, the session explored how ideas evolve into films and how audiences shape meaning from them
Drawing from a Zen Buddhist story, Desai reflected on how audiences experience films in different ways. “You can go to the sea and collect shells, build sandcastles, or someone might even find nirvana there. It all depends on what you take from the experience,” she remarked. The analogy highlighted how films often mean different things to different viewers.
Animation filmmaker Raimund Krumme shared a similar perspective, saying that he enjoys the fact that audiences are free to interpret his films in their own way. “Every culture has its own way of understanding a film, and I like that freedom,” he said. Rather than directing viewers towards a single meaning, he prefers to leave space for personal interpretation while building his stories around emotions and experiences that are universally understood.
Offering a glimpse into his creative process, Raimund revealed that many of his ideas begin with sketches drawn directly on walls. “I paint on walls to let my ideas flow,” he said. These drawings often become the starting point for both exhibitions and films. He added that movement is central to his artistic practice, explaining that his sketches are often designed to capture energy, rhythm and motion.
The discussion also explored how animation has changed over the years. Both speakers agreed that the medium has evolved significantly and now enjoys greater recognition as a serious form of artistic expression. At the same time, they acknowledged the growing role of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.
Filmmaker Raimund also reflected on the deeper meaning behind his film featuring a dancing couple. While the story revolves around travel, he said it is really about the experience of the journey itself. “Travel is more than going from point A to point B. It should be exhilarating,” he remarked, drawing parallels between physical journeys and life’s broader experiences.
The session gave audiences an engaging insight into the creative minds of animation filmmakers, showing how personal experiences, ideas and new technologies influence the stories they tell. It also highlighted that animation is more than just moving images—it is about creating meaningful experiences that audiences can connect with and remember long after the film ends.
