We've had the pleasure to virtually talk to Inkscape user, designer and short film artist Jorge del Campo Andrade about his process of creating the shortfilm "Ladrón de Flores" and his experience of taking part in the Peru-based international children's film festival "Mi primer festival". He also has some tips for you, if you would like to follow in his tracks!

Hi Jorge, please tell us a few things about yourself and your background.

I am a designer and educator based in Santiago, Chile, at the southern tip of the Americas. My passion for technology started at a very young age; I remember sitting in front of a computer for the first time in 1995 and discovering Microsoft Paint. That moment significantly influenced me and defined my lifelong interest in digital graphic creation.

What is 'Mi Primer Festival'?

'Mi Primer Festival' is an international film festival based in Peru, specifically designed for children and teenagers. It is a prestigious space that promotes cultural diversity and artistic education through cinema. Being recognized there is very special because it means the story successfully connected with its most honest and demanding audience: children.

What was it like to participate in the contest?

It was a deeply rewarding and validating experience. The festival received over 2,000 entries, from which only 77 works were selected across various categories. While receiving the Honorable Mention was a major achievement, simply being part of the Official Selection was already an enormous recognition. Seeing my work stand alongside such a curated group of international films was a highlight of the journey.

What is your short film about and what was your inspiration?

The film follows a boy with only a few coins in his pocket who tries to surprise his best friend on her birthday. He finds the "perfect gift," but getting it won't be easy.

The inspiration came from a story I wrote back in 2000, when I was 17. Originally, I envisioned it as a song, but the project stalled and stayed in a drawer for years. In 2014, after my first steps into animation, I "dusted off" the script and realized that its visual potential was perfect for a 2D animated short.

Many of the settings in the short film—the streets, the atmosphere—are actually inspired by the neighborhoods where I grew up here in Chile. I suppose when people say an author leaves a piece of themselves in their work, they are referring to that kind of personal connection to their roots.

Which tools did you choose for making 'Ladrón de flores' ('Flowers Thief'), and why?

My journey into Open Source was born out of necessity but turned into a conviction. Initially, I planned to use a well-known proprietary creative suite, but my trial period ended, leaving me without software to start the project. This led to an intense period of research through videos, tutorials, and forums.

I must give a special mention to TJ Free; his YouTube channel was decisive in helping me select the right tools. After discovering the potential of Inkscape, Krita, OpenToonz, Kdenlive, and Audacity, what started as a temporary workaround became a declaration of principles: I decided the short film would be created exclusively with Open Source tools to prove their professional capabilities.

How did you use Inkscape in your process?

Inkscape was the architect of the entire visual world. Everything you see—the houses, streets, apartments, vehicles, shops, and storefronts—was traced and colored in Inkscape. For the backgrounds, once the structural drawings were finished in Inkscape, I moved them to Krita to add volume through lights and shadows, creating a rich, layered aesthetic.

What are your favorite features of Inkscape?

The freehand and drawing tools were essential. The Pen Tool (Bezier) was indispensable for irregular shapes like water puddles or the flower itself; it allowed me to translate paper sketches into final strokes with total control.

I also relied heavily on Shape Tools. Every building and shop in the film started as a simple rectangle that I later refined. The Perspective/Envelope extension was also vital for establishing vanishing points in different shots. Finally, the Typography tools are incredibly powerful; even the film’s title was designed entirely within Inkscape.

What features or improvements would you like to see in Inkscape?

I would love to see the Pen Tool allow for even simpler node editing, perhaps utilizing different mouse buttons for faster workflows, similar to the experience in Illustrator. I also think a more intuitive system for modifying page sizes and artboards would be a great addition.

That said, the transition was remarkably smooth. Being able to use keyboard shortcuts based on other programs was a game-changer for a fast adoption.

What tips would you give to someone else wanting to use Inkscape and other Free Software tools to make videos?

Focus on understanding the fundamentals and workflows. Once you master the "how" and "why" of a process, the specific software becomes secondary. It helped me a lot that I already had experience with proprietary tools; instead of starting from zero, I focused on finding how to replicate those tasks in Open Source, assuming it was possible.

Also, don't try to master everything at once. Start with a project that is challenging but as small and brief as possible. It is the most effective way to scale your knowledge and skills without getting overwhelmed.

I would also like to add a reflection on my context: in Latin America, "piracy culture" is quite common, and it is easy to find forums where people look for keygens or cracked licenses to access expensive software. When I discovered Open Source, I realized it represents a powerful solution to this issue. If someone doesn't have the means to pay for tools like Photoshop or Illustrator, instead of looking for pirated versions, they should explore the Open Source ecosystem. I did exactly that, and I don't regret a single thing I've discovered since.

Where can we see your short film?

The short film is currently traveling through the international festival circuit, so it isn't available for public viewing just yet. However, you can watch the official trailer and follow updates around the film.

Film still images

Thank you, Jorge, for answering our questions, and for being a fantastic member of the Inkscape Community!

To the rest of the Community, keep drawing, keep having fun and next time, it will be YOU answering questions like these.