Father and Daughter (film)

Father and Daughter is a 2000 Dutch animated short film directed by Michaël Dudok de Wit. The film tells the story of a father's farewell to his daughter, and the daughter's lifelong longing and searching for him.

The film opens with a father saying goodbye to his young daughter. He leaves her on a bicycle path near a lake, gently pushing her forward before heading off in a different direction by boat. The film then follows the daughter throughout her life, depicting her returning to the same spot by the lake at different stages, first as a child, then as a young woman, a mother, and finally as an elderly woman. Each time, she is searching for her father, the lake sometimes full and sometimes dried. The film portrays the enduring power of love and the poignant themes of loss, longing, and the passage of time.

Father and Daughter is notable for its simple, evocative hand-drawn animation style. It utilizes a limited color palette and flowing lines to convey emotion and the feeling of memory. The film is largely silent, relying on visuals and a subtle score to tell its story.

The film received widespread critical acclaim and won numerous awards, including the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 2001. It is considered a classic of animated storytelling and is admired for its emotional depth and universal themes.