"Beasts of Death": A Harrowing Journey Through Grief, Rooted in Andean Mythology and "Tropi-Goth" Aesthetics

Los Angeles, CA – July 2, 2026 – The realm of animated short films is often a canvas for breathtaking visual artistry and compelling storytelling. Emerging from this vibrant landscape is "Beasts of Death" (original "Bestias de la Muerte"), a poignant and visually arresting animated fantasy short from writer-director Sandra Powers. This eight-minute film offers a profound exploration of the emotional stages of grief, masterfully transforming them into a supernatural adventure steeped in the rich tapestry of Andean mythology and a unique personal aesthetic dubbed "tropi-goth."

The trailer for "Beasts of Death," released today, offers a tantalizing glimpse into its visually striking world. It introduces viewers to 16-year-old Claudia, a young protagonist grappling with the devastating loss of her mother. Driven by an unbearable pain, Claudia embarks on a desperate and ancient Andean ritual, aiming to summon the very entities known as the Beasts of Death in a desperate bid to reclaim her mother from the afterlife. However, this perilous undertaking plunges her into a nightmarish dimension where she is forced to confront monstrous personifications of denial, rage, and bargaining—the raw, untamed emotions that accompany profound sorrow.

The Genesis of a Personal Vision

Sandra Powers, an animator with over 15 years of experience working on acclaimed projects for Nickelodeon ("The Legend of Korra"), Disney ("Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur"), and an unannounced Netflix series with Flying Bark, reveals that "Beasts of Death" is deeply autobiographical. "The story is a very personal story," Powers shared in an exclusive interview with Cartoon Brew. "It’s actually a story based on an experience that I went through when I was younger, when I lost my mother."

For years, Powers harbored a desire to tell her own stories, a common ambition for many creatives who dedicate their careers to bringing other people’s visions to life. "I keep creating for other people, but I want to be able to tell my own story," she explained. "It’s really, really hard to jump from editor to creator, especially in this industry."

A Crucial Opportunity: The Spark Animation Fellowship

The breakthrough for Powers came when she was selected for the Latino Film Institute’s Spark Animation Fellowship, a program generously sponsored by the Netflix Fund for Creative Equity. This prestigious fellowship provided a crucial one-year deadline and the platform to assemble a talented team, many of whom were former collaborators from her work on "Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur." This collaborative environment proved instrumental in bringing "Beasts of Death" to fruition.

Deconstructing Grief: The Beasts as Manifestations

Powers’ innovative approach to the film lies in her conceptualization of the "Beasts of Death." Rather than portraying them as conventional monsters, she designed them as tangible embodiments of grief itself. "The beasts all actually represent different stages of grief," Powers elaborated. "Each of the challenges that she has to overcome is essentially a stage of grief."

Given the short film’s concise runtime, Powers meticulously distilled Claudia’s complex emotional journey into three primary stages: denial, rage, and bargaining. The narrative arc builds towards acceptance, though the specifics of this resolution remain a closely guarded spoiler, adding an element of intrigue for potential viewers.

Andean Mythology Meets "Tropi-Goth" Aesthetics

The film’s titular beasts draw significant inspiration from Supay, the shape-shifting ruler of the underworld in Andean mythology, a figure steeped in ancient South American folklore. However, the visual identity of "Beasts of Death" is equally rooted in Powers’ personal upbringing and cultural heritage.

"I’m Peruvian, but I was raised in Miami, Florida," Powers explained. "The whole ‘tropi-goth’ thing comes honestly from my childhood." She defines "tropi-goth" as a fascinating collision of two distinct worlds: the vibrant, sun-drenched atmosphere of 1990s Miami, characterized by its pastel colors, neon lights, and tropical ambiance, intertwined with the darker imagery and folklore that captivated her from a young age.

"When the tropical meets the gothic, essentially, which is me fully," she stated. "The tropical side does feel very Latino, but it feels very Miami Latino to me… The Andean is just coming out of me, probably, because it’s in my bloodline." This unique aesthetic promises a visual experience unlike any other, blending the familiar with the uncanny.

A Symphony of Sound and Emotion

Music plays a pivotal role in "Beasts of Death," a testament to Powers’ parallel career in opera direction. The film’s score features the distinctive voice of singer-songwriter Elizaveta, whose fusion of operatic grandeur and electronic soundscapes became a defining element of the project.

"Her voice is basically the voice of the mother throughout the soundtrack of the entire film," Powers revealed. "There are sometimes moments where there are hundreds of tracks of her voice doing different kinds of textures." This intricate layering of vocal performances and chanting is woven throughout the film, creating an immersive emotional atmosphere that bridges Claudia’s mother and the spectral world she navigates.

The Editor’s Touch: Pacing and Narrative Precision

Powers’ extensive experience as an animation editor has profoundly influenced the final cut of "Beasts of Death," particularly its pacing and narrative flow. She recounted a specific instance where she restructured a seven-minute musical sequence over a single weekend, meticulously shaping its arc before returning it to the storyboard and music teams for refinement.

"I shaped the entire thing," she emphasized. "I shaped the whole project to kind of have its own unique feel, because I knew the arc that it needed everywhere." This hands-on approach to editing underscores her deep understanding of storytelling and her commitment to crafting a cohesive and impactful emotional experience for the audience.

Critical Acclaim and Future Prospects

"Beasts of Death" has already garnered critical attention, premiering in competition at the prestigious Animayo International Film Festival earlier this year. The short film not only captivated audiences but also resonated deeply, earning it the coveted Audience Award. This recognition is a significant testament to the film’s emotional resonance and artistic merit.

The production itself is a testament to international collaboration, bringing together artists from the United States, Mexico, and Peru. The animation was expertly handled by Viva Calavera, a renowned studio based in Mexico City, while the voice performances were recorded in Lima, further enriching the film’s authentic cultural underpinnings.

The success of "Beasts of Death" marks a significant milestone for Sandra Powers, solidifying her transition from editor to creator. It serves as an inspiring example for other artists navigating the challenges of breaking into new creative roles within the competitive animation industry. The film’s exploration of universal themes of loss and healing, presented through a unique cultural lens and a distinctive visual style, positions it as a standout piece in the contemporary animation landscape.

The debut of the trailer and the ongoing buzz surrounding "Beasts of Death" signal a promising future for the short film, with audiences eagerly anticipating its wider release and the opportunity to experience Claudia’s cathartic journey firsthand. This deeply personal and artistically ambitious project is poised to leave a lasting impression on viewers and the animation community alike.