The Boy, The Mole, The Fox And The Horse

"Nothing beats kindness, it sits quietly beyond all things."

This is just one of the many messages about loving others and yourself that is outlined in this gentle family animation from Peter Baynton and Charlie Mackesey, which has made the Oscar short animation shortlist. Based on Mackesy's book - co-scripted with Jon Croker (Paddington 2) -  this tale of a little lost boy (voiced by Jude Coward Nicoll) and the cake-loving mole (voiced by Tom Hollander) he goes on an adventure with is as soft as the snowy landscape they find themselves in.

As they start to follow the river and aim to find a home, they will encounter a fox (voiced by Idris Elba) who initially spells danger and a horse (voiced by Gabriel Byrne), who has a surprising secret.

Baynton's previous work, including Save Our Bacon and Over The Hill, has had quite a bit of edge to it, but he fully embraces the elegant simplicity of Mackesey's musings on friendship and caring. These ideas are something his story shares with Paddington but also with that other famous British bear, Winnie. There is a whisper of the artwork of EH Shepard about the hand-drawn style that seems fitting given his tale shares similar philosophy, albeit more obviously spelled out. It is unashamedly old fashioned, right down to the all-male cast.

While older children might find the action a bit underwhelming, younger ones will doubtless enjoy the fun of friendship while being able to follow the film's straightforward wholesome messaging, while adults might be advised to have a tissue or two to hand for its more tear-jerking moments, including its sweet end disclaimer that "no cakes were harmed during the making of this film".