Surviving Violence | Domestic Abuse Awareness

Inspiration

I wanted to create a short animation that captures the quiet reality of domestic abuse — not only through scenes of violence, but through silence, memory, and the small details of survival. The story was inspired by real experiences of those who grew up being exposed to or had to endure harm, and how those moments echo into adulthood.

What it does

Surviving Violence is a short animated film told through the survivor’s eyes. It follows a child who learns that silence is safety — and, years later, as an adult, begins to unlearn that lesson. The film sheds light on the invisible effects of domestic abuse within families and gives voice to the often-unspoken perspective of children who witness it.

How we built it

I used ChatGPT to craft the script and narration. Character designs were made using OC Maker on Komiko AI for consistency. Animation was built using Sora 2 on Komiko AI and Grok, with CapCut for editing, pacing, and sound design.

Challenges we ran into

The biggest challenge was balancing emotional realism with restraint — portraying trauma in a way that feels truthful but not triggering. Maintaining consistent character appearance and tone across AI tools also required fine-tuning.

Accomplishments that we’re proud of

I’m proud of creating a story that survivors can connect with — one that shows quiet courage and the power of survival without sensationalism. The mirrored gestures between the mother and the adult self became a powerful symbol of healing and continuity.

What we learned

I learned that AI can help bring deeply human stories to life when guided with empathy and intention. Storytelling about trauma requires patience, precision, and compassion — both for the characters and the audience.

What’s next for Surviving Violence | Domestic Abuse Awareness

The next step is to expand Surviving Violence into a series of short films that explore different survivor perspectives and dynamics— siblings, parents, and adult children — each one crafted to foster understanding, conversation, and awareness.

Built With

• chatgpt
• grok
• komiko
• sora2