Inspired by declassified FBI records, The File of Black Dahlia is a stylised 3D animated short that re-examines one of America's most enduring unsolved murder cases through a deeply human lens. Rather than dwelling on sensationalism, the film follows Elizabeth Short's search for belonging in post-war Los Angeles, portraying a young woman navigating hardship, loneliness and fading hopes in a city that promised opportunity but rarely delivered it.

Crafted using expressive digital puppets with handcrafted clay textures and a tactile stop-motion aesthetic, the film combines cinematic noir lighting with historically grounded storytelling to create an intimate, melancholic portrait of a life overshadowed by tragedy. The result is a thoughtful reinterpretation of a familiar story, exploring themes of vulnerability, resilience and the fragile pursuit of a better future.