The animated project features five stories set in different times and places, exploring the extreme and hidden emotions that lead tormented souls to personal rebellion.
Dark Horses is an ambitious project that highlights IBRIDO Studio’s (IT) extensive expertise in animation development and training. Its journey began in 2020. The project was presented at the CEE Animation Forum in November 2022 and later pitched in its in-concept stage during Cartoon Movie 2024, Europe’s premier animation market for feature films.
Recently, it has been supported by Ciclic for development, and in March, Federico Turani, the Italian producer, attended the ACE Animation program.
At its heart, Dark Horses is a choral narrative of human existence, delving into the depths of personal turmoil, where the horse acts as a driving force of transformation, guiding characters to confront their limits and challenge psychological, relational, or social constraints.
The first chapter, Scarpe, with Salvatore Centoducati as the director, is set in a world suspended between past and future, where a young man grieving the death of his mother embarks on a quest for a land “where no one ever dies”, with a horse as his only companion, just to realize the importance of embracing pain and loss.
In Dorian, directed by Linda Kelvink, the talented showjumping champion Nina is trapped in a toxic marriage. She finds a kindred spirit in a wild horse, leading her to confront her feeling of vengeance, and finally seek liberation.
The third chapter, Rosaspina, with the direction of Francesco Forti, introduces a love turned into hatred: the main character, Greta, is consumed by bitterness after years of waiting for her beloved’s return, and she transforms into a ruthless woman seeking revenge and independence in a life of crime and turmoil – with the horse as the last token of his love for her.
Robins, helmed by Massimo Ottoni, is set in Italy during fascism: Lidia and Emma share an ambiguous friendship, but confront the harsh reality of their time when they experience intolerance and violence from their classmates, leading to the death of an innocent horse.
Lastly, in Amigdala, directed by Victoria Musci, the lovers Ara and Ido are temporarily torn apart, in a prehistoric era when war rages between tribes. Through taming and riding a wild horse, they learn how to control their deepest emotions and understand whether to stay together or take separate paths.
Dark Horses boasts a cast of compelling and deeply resonant characters, thanks to the ingenious use of the horse as an externalisation of their feelings, allowing the audience to connect with them on a deeper level.
The feature employs a diverse range of animation techniques, including 2D, 3D, stop motion, and oil painting and is set to create a visually stunning and emotionally resonant experience for young adult and adult audiences.
In a development stage of production, Dark Horses results from the outstanding collaborative effort from IBRIDO with Sultana Films (ES), producer of Sultana’s Dream, selected at Annecy 24, and Polish studio Breakthru Films (PL), producer of the Oscar-nominee Loving Vincent and the Annie Award nominee The Peasants.
The collaboration between the three Studios will deal with the realisation of the five chapters, drawing from the experience of Breakthru Films for the oil-painted chapter Amigdala and mixing it with the vibrant skillset of Sultana Films.
