Ian McKellen and Divina De Campo lead new LGBTQ+ animated musical ‘Dragfox’
Skwigly
Legendary stage and screen actor Ian McKellen has teamed up with Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK star Divina De Campo to share the titular role in the upcoming stop-motion animated short film, Dragfox.
Dragfox (Dir. Lisa Ott, image via Owen Thomas)
In Dragfox, directed by Lisa Ott and produced by Owen Thomas as part of their master’s programs at the National Film and Television School, McKellen will voice Ginger Snap the Fox, while Divina De Campo (Owen Farrow) will lend her impressive vocal range to the character’s drag musical number.
The short film, which has been selected by Creative Artists Agency (CAA) for their Moebius Showcase 2024 as well as being longlisted for the 2024 Yugo BAFTA Animation Award, centres around Sam (voiced by newcomer Aidan Gale), a child struggling on a journey with their identity, only to be interrupted by a charismatic and mysterious neighbourhood fox. Together, this unlikely duo embarks on a magical musical adventure where they discover surprising commonalities and learn to embrace the beauty of their differences
The filmmakers expressed the importance of celebrating a young trans protagonist, stating:
It was important for us to celebrate Sam and reflect to the world that if we truly sit down and listen to someone, we have the power to make the world a little bit less scary for them. Who better to deliver that message than the utterly captivating and innately kind, Sir Ian McKellen?
Reflecting on his own experiences, McKellen shared how the film resonates with his journey:
When I was a kid growing up in South Lancashire just after the war, there were lots of things that preoccupied us, nobody really had time to wonder what it was like to be a little gay boy growing up at a time when that word hadn’t really been invented.
We were ‘queers.’ We were looked at from other people’s points of view, and what’s important about growing up – as this film says – is to be yourself. Not in a selfish way but just in a life affirming way.
There was a total lack of that for me, as I suppose there is for trans people today.
And often the best way to get a message over is not to make a speech or write a book, but to make people smile. Lead them in. Persuade them there’s nothing frightening going on. Which is exactly what this film does.
Acclaimed drag queen Divina De Campo expressed their excitement about participating in the film:
Being a part of Dragfox is a dream come true. I get to share a role with an absolute hero and icon!
More importantly, this film is not just a celebration of identity and diversity, but also a beacon of hope for anyone struggling to find their place in the world.
De Campo emphasized the film’s significance for the LGBTQ+ community, stating:
For a trans kid, it’s a seminal moment to see yourself reflected in films or TV.
The story of Sam and Ginger Snap reminds us all that our uniqueness is our greatest strength, and that love and acceptance can be found in the most unexpected places.
Dragfox promises to be a poignant and heart-warming exploration of identity, acceptance, and the power of understanding. It brings to life a unique narrative celebrating trans youth, drag and the journey to self-discovery. Follow the film’s journey on Instagram @dragfox_animation for festival updates, behind-the-scenes content with the cast, and distribution news.