Don’t Think of a Pink Elephant
Written & Directed by Suraya Raja
Multi-award winning short film, Don’t Think of a Pink Elephant, is the inspiring story of a teenage girl fighting against compulsive thoughts and urges. Layla is terrified by her potential to do harm, until challenged to face her darkest fears.
Created at the iconic National Film & Television School by Suraya Raja and her talented team of artists, Don’t Think of a Pink Elephant has showcased at over 100 international festivals including 6 BAFTA and 4 Oscar accredited festivals. It has won 15 awards for Best Animation or Best Director, and received many more nominations.
The film featured as part of the exhibition, ‘Herself: Girlhood in Stop-Motion Film’ at the Atkinson Gallery, Santa Barbara, USA. The exhibit included animation classes for girls, as well as facilitated discussions around mental health. The film has also been featured as part of a presentation for the Royal College of Psychiatrists and at training events for psychiatrists.
Suraya told us “The story is actually completely fictional. I have not had OCD, but there are elements within the story that are based on my experience of intrusive thoughts. With my understanding of OCD it did not feel difficult to imagine this, and create a story where someone who has developed avoidance behaviours is one day challenged.”
Festival Awards:
Winner – Best Stop Motion, Animation Dingle
Winner – Best Animation – Portugal International Film Festival
Winner – Best Animation – Phenicien International Film Festival
Winner – Best Director, Oniros Film Awards
Winner – Best Animation, Oniros Film Awards
Winner – Best Horror, Mediterranean Film Festival
Winner – Best Student Film, Brooklyn Women’s Film Festival
Winner – Gold Award 2018 – Spotlight Horror Film Awards
Winner – Best Animation, Montevideo World Film Festival
Winner – Special Insignia, Cinemaway, Ukraine
Winner – Best Animation, Midnight Film Festival, New York
Winner – 2nd Prize, Ivy Film Festival, US
Winner – Indie Visions Film Festival, US
Winner and Bumble Honoree – Ivy Film Festival, US
Winner – Best Animation Short, Rome Independent Prisma Awards, Italy
