05/08/2026 - Momoko Seto's film blends time-lapse photography and 3D animation to follow four dandelions on an eye-catching cinematic journey through ecological collapse

Part of Animafest’s Grand Competition – Feature Film programme, the French-Belgian fantasy film Dandelion's Odyssey, directed by Momoko Seto, is a visually rich voyage through the end of one world and the beginning of another. 

The film follows four dandelion seeds, anthropomorphised through their movements and posture, as they drift through unfamiliar worlds after a catastrophic explosion on Earth. It is a strikingly animated story that gradually moves towards the idea of biodiversity slowly reclaiming the soil after the disaster. Its hyperrealistic images of the vegetation and wildlife, seamlessly incorporated into photographic backgrounds, create an immersive world without feeling overwhelming. Much like the tiny, soft dandelions leading the story, the film moves at a slow, delicate pace. The dandelions are constantly overshadowed by larger creatures such as snails and mantises; however, it is this contrast that makes their smallness feel compelling, inviting viewers to patiently follow these tiny flowers somewhere new, where life can grow.

Throughout its 76-minute runtime, Seto’s clever use of sound design blends electronic and orchestral elements to allow the film to express moments of both humour and sadness without involving dialogue. What should feel impossible – understanding a conversation between four floating dandelions – becomes, somehow, entirely natural. This is helped by world-building achieved through macro photography and time-lapse imagery, capturing the slow transformation from a cold planet into one that can sustain life. Ultimately, it’s the film’s technical craft – the sound design and the cinematography – that stands out as its strongest and most immersive aspect.

The plot itself, by contrast, does not live up to the epic journey its title promises. One would expect big struggles and real character transformation from an “odyssey”. There are some memorable moments – like one where the dandelions try to escape from a brutal sand monster, a scene that hints at transformation through collective struggle. Still, beyond that, the more essential issue is that it was a conscious choice to create a story around the dandelions. Since the characters themselves are nothing but drifting, moving plants and do not possess any kind of face or human traits at all, there are obvious limitations to how much they can actually express. In the end, the filmmaker brings out the best she can from what is defined by the film’s concept. But different, more expressive protagonists could have given the film a little more to develop at its own pace. 

Along these lines, the film’s emotional depth doesn’t quite align with the level of its technical achievement, even if we are able to clearly distinguish between the four dandelion seeds. Rather, it comes across as a visually charming experience that draws viewers to admire the beauty of its animation. Seto is at her strongest in crafting a detailed world where nature claims every frame, and while the picture may not make for a developed plot and emotional engagement, it is an achievement impressive enough to warrant it a place in Cannes 2025 selection and an EFA nomination. 

Dandelion's Odyssey is a French-Belgian co-production by Miyu Productions and Ecce Films, co-produced by ARTE France Cinéma, Umedia, CNRS and Reepost. The film is sold worldwide by Indie Sales.