Ghosts is an award-winning frame-by-frame animation written, directed, and animated by artist Maria Tilt, and composer James Morris. Inspired by themes of connection and loss, Ghosts weaves a short tale of grief.
Please watch and enjoy Ghosts below, subtitles are available in English and Welsh.​​​​​​
The Story​
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The concept for Ghosts was inspired originally by two of Maria's digital paintings, more specifically, the difference between them. Soulmate and Soulmate, Pt. II were painted two years apart and depict a clear shift in mood and a progression of narrative.
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Influenced by the stark difference between these two paintings, James wrote the song, Ghosts, which became the foundation from which the animated story was created.
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Maria and James spent the next year working on Ghosts, developing new skills and contributing existing ones to produce this deeply personal project.​​​​​​
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The Journey
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In 2023 and 2024 Ghosts was exhibited alongside Life Support at Mission Gallery, Swansea, and was selected for 11 film festivals, winning awards for 'best music' and 'best short animation'. In 2025 Ghosts went on tour with Cardiff Animation Festival as one of nine featured films made in Wales. At the end of 2025 Ghosts will be travelling to Japan for the New Chitose Airport International Animation Festival in collaboration with Cardiff Animation Festival to celebrate Welsh and Japanese culture.
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Soulmate (2020) Soulmate, Pt. II (2022)​​
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The Filmmakers
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Maria and James met whilst studying at The University of South Wales; Maria was training in Art Psychotherapy (MA) whilst James was training in Music Therapy (MA).
Ghosts is an authentic demonstration of how the creative arts can provide alternative means to process, express, and explore emotions. Maria and James are now qualified creative arts therapists based in South Wales.
