Deep End / 《深水区》(Shen Shui Qu) / Globina

Puzhen Zhang (NFTS)
2026, UK, 7’39’’

A shy girl overcomes her fear of swimming - and of connection - when she forms a magical summer bond with a bold classmate in the deep end of the pool.

Sramežljivo dekle premaga strah pred plavanjem - in pred bližino -, ko v globokem delu bazena splete čarobno poletno vez z drzno sošolko.

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Language: Chinese
Technique: Puppet animation
Recommended for children under 14 years of age: Yes

Team

Script: Niky Pasolini
Animation: Puzhen Zhang, Tolli Myers, Ollie Griffiths, Maria Tomazou
Music: Aizhana Nurkenova
Cinematography: Max Brunner
Producter: Dylan Gillah (NFTS, www.dylangillah.com)

Puzhen Zhang

is a Chinese animation director working in stop-motion animation. She holds an MFA in Directing Animation from the National Film and Television School. Her work includes "Deep End", "Rabbit", "Reincarnation", and "Noise Reduction". Her latest film, "Deep End", explores experimental approaches to 3D-printed puppetry, combining diverse materials to simulate water-based visual effects. Her films often balance humour and emotional depth, operating in the subtle space between memory and self-reflection. Through a hands-on and exploratory practice, she continuously experiments with materials and techniques, embracing an intuitive and process-driven approach to animation-making.

Find more: www.puzhenzhang.com