Samira Sikder Mira
‘Spiorad na Báistí’ (Spirit of the Rain) follows the story of Síofra, a young girl who isn’t very fond of the rain until an unexpected journey pulls her to go and explore it. Through her exploration, she uncovers the life, wonder, and quiet beauty the rain brings to the world around her. Síofra learns to embrace the rain, and in the end, realises the rain is not so bad after all.
For my final year project, I directed the animated short ‘Spiorad na Báistí’ (Spirit of the Rain), working closely with a talented group of friends to bring the film to life. Having collaborated before, Saoirse and I were excited to create something meaningful together once again.
The idea came to me on a quiet, rainy afternoon, as I admired the beauty of the rain through my window. Watching people pass by, I realised how differently we experience the same moments. In Ireland, where rain is so constant, it’s easy to overlook its importance. This became the heart of my story.
I wanted to create a film where each person’s strengths could shine, from my work in design and backgrounds to the animation brought to life by my team, with the support of our classmates. In the end, ‘Spiorad na Báistí’ (Spirit of the Rain) became a celebration of perspective, collaboration, and finding beauty in the everyday moments we often forget to appreciate.
My thesis examines the world of 19th-century Brothers Grimm fairy tales, focusing on Snow White as a central case study, and traces its cultural evolution to the 21st-century adaptation 'Snow, Glass, Apples' by Neil Gaiman. By comparing these works, I explore how storytelling and the social and cultural values it reflects have transformed over time.
I am a passionate artist and author who loves telling stories inspired by my personal experiences and the world around me. I work across both traditional and digital media, including painting, sketching, and digital illustration. I have a strong interest in background design, storyboarding, and concept art, where I enjoy building immersive worlds and visual narratives. My goal is to create meaningful stories to inspire others through my work!
Winner of IADT’s Student Accelerator program 2025 with my book ‘The Story of my Super Dad!’ | Animated short ‘Die for a Pie?’, Dingle Animation Festival and the Tampa Animation Festival 2025 official selection
