Whose Woods are These (2025)

-Written by Bryan Miller.

2026 SLAMDANCE FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW!

Whose Woods are These, written, directed, and produced by Kate Nartker, is an animated short that reimagines the mysterious disappearance of the filmmaker’s ancestor. Through a blend of textured imagery, ambient soundscapes, and rhythmic scoring, it crafts a haunting, tactile experience.

So… What works?

Initially, I went in without context and wasn't entirely sure of the film's specific intent, but that didn't stop it from being profoundly moving. The craftsmanship is immediate and unique; director Nartker uses actual woven textiles to narrate a woman’s journey away from home and into the wild. It wasn't until after the credits rolled that I learned Whose Woods are These serves as a reimagining of Nartker’s own great-great-great-great-grandmother’s disappearance. That revelation shifted my perspective entirely. What first felt like a simple walk through the trees became a story of a woman seemingly willfully losing herself to the elements. Between the incredible visuals and the immersive sound design, this is a simple yet impactful tale that seems to offer a sense of emotional closure to a centuries-old mystery.

Now, what did not work?

Whose Woods are These is dialogue-free, which isn't a flaw in itself, but it does result in a narrative that might feel a bit vague if you haven't read up on the production of the short. While the core "woman in the woods" plot is easy to follow, I found myself wishing I’d known the historical weight of the story before watching it.

Additionally, while the textile animation is incredibly imaginative, the medium occasionally results in some visually confusing shots. However, much like the lack of dialogue, these moments don’t really hinder the short’s overall emotional resonance.

Overall:

I was genuinely struck by the emotional weight of Whose Woods are These. It is visually arresting and successfully pulls the viewer into the frame, inviting them to walk alongside this woman as she moves through the foliage and interacts with the wild. 

Written & Directed by Kate Nartker. 

9/10 = DROP EVERYTHING AND WATCH IT NOW