THE WILY ONES
by Zarja Menart | a short animated film
Slovenia | 5:20 min | 2026
Produced by Finta Film (Slovenia)
Fragments of grandparents’ memories take us back to days when the world smelled of rivers, forests, and freshly manured fields. People were tough, cows and horses were trusted sidekicks, and children ran on curious freedom and clever tricks, always ready to turn chores into pranks.
“Fragments of grandparents’ memories take us back to days when the world smelled of rivers, forests, and freshly manured fields. People were tough, cows and horses were trusted sidekicks, and children ran on curious freedom and clever tricks, always ready to turn chores into pranks.”
Zarja Menart
Director, Lead Animator: Zarja Menart
Screenwriters: Kaja Balog, Zarja Menart, Gregor Zorc
Dramaturgy: Špela Čadež
Art Director: Matej Lavrenčič
Animation: Matej Lavrenčič, Iza Simončič Ambrožič, Anka Kočevar
Editor: Iva Kraljević
Music: Boštjan Gombač
Sound design: Julij Zornik
Co-production: RTV Slovenija
Zarja Menart works as an animated film director, animator, illustrator, and art director. Her directorial debut, the sensitive animated film Three Birds (2024) in multiplane technique received several awards. As a lead animator and illustrator, she has also collaborated on films such as Night Bird and Steakhouse. She graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Ljubljana.
Title: THE WILY ONES
Duration: 5:20 min
Year: 2026
Directed by: Zarja Menart
Countries: Slovenia
Animation Technique: mixed
Format: DCP | color | 16:9 | 25 FPS