OMA

Oma is a touching animated short by Belgian filmmaker Karolien Raeymaekers, created during her studies at KASK (Royal Academy of Fine Arts) in Ghent. Spanning about eight minutes, the film gently portrays a young girl’s emotional response as she visits her gravely ill grandmother.

Inspired by the director’s personal experience of loss, Oma explores the delicate themes of grief, confusion, and letting go through a child’s perspective. The narrative moves between quiet rural scenes and imaginative dream-like moments, capturing the inner world of the girl as she tries to come to terms with the reality of saying goodbye.

Visually, the film combines textured, hand-drawn backgrounds with silhouetted characters, using traditional art materials like crayon and acrylic paint. This unique aesthetic brings an added emotional resonance to the story.

The film has received widespread recognition, including the Audience Award for Best Belgian Animated Short in Leuven and the Jury Award at the Sundance Channel Shorts in London.