Even the simplest stories can be effective — and affecting — depending on the execution, and this short film is a master class in animated storytelling. Le Gouffre (meaning "The Gulf") is a short created by animators Carl Beauchemin, Thomas Chrétien, and David Forest at Lightning Boy Studio, telling the story of two friends forced to build a bridge in order to cross a massive canyon in the wilderness. Even though the film is mostly wordless, the score and the bright, fluid animation style draw you in until the end. You'll be moved even if you saw it coming.

Le Gouffre is the product of a successful Kickstarter campaign from two years ago, and the short went on to win a number of accolades on the festival circuit. We'd love to see more of Lightning Boy's work in the future.