“The Dandelion”
a film by Caitlin-Marie Miner Ong
Loss and Love through the Eyes of a Dandelion
The Dandelion is an animated short film about the human condition, as experienced by a dandelion, who is threatened by the very forces that gave it life.
The film explores the cyclical nature of life and the joy that can be had in its acceptance.
It was created in a time of profound grief and intense joy for the creative team, as the death of their fathers coincided with the birth of their first child.
The film captures this most essential bond, between parent and child, through the eyes of a flower losing its seeds.
Category: Animation, Short Film, Children & Family, New Filmmakers, 2D Animation
Runtime: 6 min
Completion Date: September 2025
Country of Production: USA
Specifications: Color, English, 16:9
“The Dandelion” was exclusively digitally hand-painted over the course of two years. It includes over 1,000 hand-painted elements.
We spilled our hearts into this project between newborn diaper changes, full-time careers, moving states, and many tears. Somehow, in the space between our overwhelming joy and earth-shattering sadness, a flower grew.
Credits: A Family Affair
Director & Artist: Caitlin-Marie Miner Ong
Caitlin-Marie Miner Ong is an Art Director and Artist based in Philadelphia, PA. Her award-winning illustrations can be found in Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Parents, Travel & Leisure, Shape, and QVC. Her first animated short, “The Rider,” won Best Animated Short from both the Atlanta’s Women’s Film Festival and Toronto Beaches Film Festival. “The Dandelion” is her second film.
Writer: Garrett C. Miner
Garrett Charles Miner is a short story author and poet based in Massachusetts. The little brother of the director, he naturally got roped into this.
Composer: Andy Ong
Andy Ong is a sound and visual artist based in Philadelphia, PA. He is the founder and producer of Noumenal Space art collective, a founding member of BK Voltage Lab, and a collaborator on “Open Contact,” a series of lofi modular albums. This is his second film with his wife, Caitlin-Marie.
Narrators and Voice Actors: Olivia & Claire Hake
The nieces of the filmmakers, Olivia (8) and Claire (4) showcased their amazing theater skills by narrating “The Dandelion.” Olivia loves to read, and Claire loves all things fashion.
