Snow Bear (dir. Aaron Blaise)

By: Adam Freed

With the meticulous tenacity known only to a hand-drawn animator, director Aaron Blaise (Brother Bear) offers a meaningful eco fable about a lonely polar bear in the face of the increasingly unsteady environment that he calls home.  Blaise, a 21 year veteran of Disney’s animation department carefully crafts an animated arctic world that is harsh and recognizable, while maintaining the benefit of its non-threatening presentation.  The story of the nameless bear is told without dialogue, instead utilizing an emotionally charged score written by Mark Mancina (Moana) and Marlon Espino (Juror #2, Cry Macho).  The ten minute short film wastes no time in establishing the isolated bear’s desperation for companionship as he attempts to befriend a shy arctic fox, a pod of curious orcas and even a disinterested flock of migrating geese, all for naught.  It isn’t until the bear takes matters into his own hands, creating a “snow bear” part-friend part-ecological thermometer that the film’s themes start to take dramatic hold.  Although many films have touched on the subject of ecopreservation, none have done so in such a succinct and poignant manner.  Aaron Blaise has crafted a bite-sized winner that is sure to speak to children as well as their ecologically minded adult counterparts.   

Target Score 9/10 - Snow Bear is a full course animated meal in a compact ten minute package.  Addressing the themes of environmental decline and the need to combat loneliness through the lens of a gorgeously animated and exquisitely scored short film, director Aaron Blaise has created something that is equal parts memorable and important. 

Snow Bear is included in Movie Archer's coverage of the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival.