A young fellow finds himself stumbling upon an ordinary flashlight that allows him to explore other places. Unexpected Discoveries is a reminder to always be present. You never know what is around the corner or directly in front of you.

_______________________________________________________________________

Craft & Recognition

Animated and written by Fern's James Mabery with illustration and concept by Mark Conlan, Unexpected Discoveries is built on the kind of handcrafted storytelling that sits at the heart of everything we do. The film combines expressive character animation with richly detailed illustrated environments, creating a world that rewards curiosity and invites viewers to slow down and pay attention.

The film has earned over 370,000 views and won 5 animation awards. It has been screened at more than 40 film festivals across 16 countries, connecting with audiences around the world through a simple, universal message about staying present.

Unexpected Discoveries is one of several original short films Fern has produced alongside our commercial work. These personal projects push our craft forward, give our team space to experiment with new techniques, and remind us why we started making animation in the first place. The storytelling range and artistic ambition we develop through films like this carries directly into the work we create for our clients.