Watch: Superb Animated Short ‘Shimmer’ About a Dad’s Lighthouse
by Alex Billington
December 8, 2025
Source: YouTube
“This is not another one of your toys!” Enjoy this fantastic animated short from Mexico titled Shimmer, originally known as Fulgores in Spanish. Made by talented indie Mexican animation filmmaker Andrés Palma, the enchanting 20-minute film premiered in 2024 and is finally available online after a successful festival run. It’s about a father & daughter with too much hubris, too little grace for one another entrenched in a struggle that will tear them apart. It’s about repentance & understanding that come too late to fix what’s been steadily eroded by neglect. That’s the thematic intro. The story is about a father and his two kids in a strange land: on a desolate beach, Ricardo toils tirelessly on a massive lighthouse that he believes holds the key to his rescue, neglecting his daughter whose own plans might derail her father’s dreams. The voice cast includes Alfonso Borbolla as Ricardo, with María Penella & Jaden Juárez. It’s an especially unique film featuring some gorgeous visuals both with the lighthouse & fish that appear, and with the kids who try make an escape on their own. It’s an Oscar-qualified short – so do you think it deserves a nom? View below.
Thanks to Short of the Week for the tip on this debuting online. Brief intro from YouTube: “Cast away on a desolate beach, Ricardo toils tirelessly on a massive lighthouse that he believes holds the key to his rescue, neglecting his daughter whose own plans might derail her father’s dreams.” Shimmer is an animated short film directed by artist / animation filmmaker Andrés Palma based in Mexico City – you can view more of his work on his Vimeo page or on his official website or follow him on IG @andres.palma.c. It’s written by Santiago Maza and Andrés Palma. And produced by Palma. Made by Escena Animation Studio. With music composed by Alex Otaola (more here). Executive produced by Jorge R. Gutiérrez & Andrés Buzo. This short initially premiered in 2024 at many film festivals around the world. Palma explains that this is very much “a passion project that was only made possible with the help of wonderful team.” For more info on the project, head to YouTube or SOTW or Andrés’ site. To view more shorts (including animation), click here. Thoughts?
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