From scratch DJ to graphic novelist to now animation director, Kid Koala joins us on the latest episode of the Showcast to discuss his moving and visual inventive directorial debut, the animated feature Space Cadet, screening at the 2025 Annecy Animation Film Festival. Based on his own graphic novel, the film is poignant tale of interstellar dreams, parental bonds, and "technological" tenderness, all told through a beautiful tactile animation style and an evocative original score. In this conversation, Kid Koala reflects on his early love for animation, the influence of silent cinema legends like Charlie Chaplin, and some of the deeply personal experiences that inspired the film. He also dives into the production process behind Space Cadet, from collaborating on the screenplay to learning the language of animation filmmaking.

CHAPTERS

(00:00) Intro

(01:08) The Multifaceted Artistry of Kid Koala

(03:45) The Origins of "Space Cadet"

(04:43) Wordless Storytelling

(08:36) A Robot Guardian

(12:08) Making a Film to Remember

(14:21) Learning to Speak the Language of Animation

(18:08) Outro