Inspired by true events, Skindeep is a short animated film that uncovers the story of racial trauma beneath personal experiences. The film illustrates, for the first time ever, the full impact of systematic racism on people’s mental health, particularly women of color. The story starts after Dominique experiences an act of racism at a swimming event. When her account is denied by her coach, she embarks upon a journey within herself where she is confronted with the racial trauma she has been carrying beneath her skin.

The injustice of racism is a devastating part of America’s story. Some of the most unspoken aspects of that story are the lasting health impacts racism has on its victims, especially women of color. People repeatably exposed to racists acts experience (di)stress similar to PTSD, known as race-based trauma. Race-based trauma can cause and/or exacerbate adverse health outcomes such as depression, anxiety, and hypertension.

Each frame on the film was hand painted on top of hundreds of HEADLINES about racism that ranges from the 1920’s to the present day ADDING - FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER - EXTRA LAYERS OF DIMENSION TO THESE STORIES. The story takes place in a watery environment , riffing from the tears of the victims of race-based traumatic stress. The choice of watercolor painting as a technique represents the fluidity that helps bringing an important point to the story: every single watercolor painted frame different, helping bringing the uneasy feelings of the main character to life. On top of that, we've developed an unprecedented technique, by capturing the reflection of each frame through the movement of the water in a small aquarium. Every single character concept was developed by female black artists.