The Legend of the Starlight Beetle

In a post-apocalyptic world where insects are huge, the main character Bluebell goes on a journey to find her friend Willow, who was lost during a gigantic mantis attack. Willow was a huge firefly nerd and Bluebell visits the places they went together to see fireflies, in order to collect fireflies and shoot them into the sky as a beacon to reach Willow. The story goes back and forth in time, and what happened in the past is shown through their old camcorder recordings. Willow always talked about the legend about the mythical creature Starlight Beetle that has the power to reunite loved ones. Bluebell, who was once skeptical about it, starts to believe, or at least, wish to believe that it’s real.

Directed by Mabel Ryu

Director’s Bio: Mabel Ryu is a animator and a filmmaker who loves telling stories about love, hope, and friendships that are present even in difficult situations. She believes the power of love and hope and wishes to show it in her various films. She recently graduated from California Institute of the Arts as Character Animation major and she is continuing her journey as an animation artist.

Plays in

The Journeys That Shape Us: Animated Shorts

Journeys take many different shapes and sizes. Some are physical—like treks through harrowing landscapes—and others are emotional—such as working through the rollercoaster of grief. Journeys mold us and our outlook on life. And they are almost impossible to go on entirely alone—there will be friends, family, and strangers along the way in small and large capacities. Travel with these characters through fantastical worlds, various animation styles, and all the joys and sorrows of moving forward toward the next adventure.