If Mickey Mouse is Disney’s emblem and Bugs Bunny is Warner Bros’ icon, DigiPen Europe-Bilbao now adds Conej to the shelves of remarkable animated creations. With his boundless energy and playful spirit, this lovable rabbit is ready to take his next big leap: the premiere of his short film, Conej Steps Out, on YouTube on February 14 — the perfect date to celebrate love, madness, and impossible dreams… even if they don’t always turn out as planned.
What started as a student project at DigiPen exceeded all expectations, becoming the most awarded short film in the institution’s history. It has been selected in 15 countries, won over 20 international awards, and participated in more than 60 legendary festivals, including Annecy, Cannes Marché du Film, and Animafest Zagreb. It has crossed borders, been translated into French, Spanish, and Hungarian, and screened on Movistar+ and at Instituto Cervantes centers worldwide. But Conej Steps Out wasn’t made to win awards—it was made to make people laugh, to surprise, and to move audiences. To remind us that animation is an art in itself.
This whirlwind of creativity was brought to life by three DigiPen graduates from the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Art and Animation program:
- Pablo Río – Director and producer, also responsible for scriptwriting, storyboarding, layout, animation, compositing, and editing.
- Aitor Olano – Scriptwriter, storyboard artist, and background artist.
- Leyre Zapata – Scriptwriter, storyboard artist, and animator.
Alongside them, collaborating artist Bruno Santoro (backgrounds) played a fundamental role in shaping this universe. This is how Chuminadas Animadas was born— a studio driven by a passion for the “old-school” cartoons that have inspired generations with their magic. It roughly translates to “Funnie Fantasies” in English. Their mission is clear: to revive the essence of classic cartoons and restore 2D animation to the greatness it should never have lost.
And the best part? You can now watch it for the first time on our YouTube channel.
A Story Full of Charm
The story of Conej Steps Out is simple yet captivating: Conej wants to surprise his girlfriend, Claire, with a spectacular gift. His idea? Build a rocket to take her to the moon. What follows is a whirlwind of chaos, humor, and absurd situations, where the protagonist will do everything— and anything— to impress Claire. But in this festival of gags, just like in the best cartoons, nothing goes as planned…
Visually, the short film draws direct inspiration from the Golden Age of Animation, paying tribute to pioneers like Disney, Looney Tunes, Fleischer Studios, and Walter Lantz. In a world where digital and 3D animation dominate, Chuminadas Animadas chose craftsmanship, tangibility, and the warmth of hand-drawn animation.
When the time came to develop their senior-year project at DigiPen Europe-Bilbao, the members of Chuminadas Animadas never hesitated about which direction to take.
From the very start, we knew we were going to do our final project in 2D. It’s our way of understanding animation, our mark, our philosophy. We wouldn’t have done it any other way.”
- Pablo Río
In an industry where digital animation reigns supreme, their decision was almost an act of rebellion. And there was Carlos Varela, their teacher and mentor, the first to believe in them. A veteran of 2D animation and former head of DigiPen Europe-Bilbao’s Art Department, he saw something special in the group from the moment he met them in their second year. “I saw my own madness reflected in them from the beginning, and I never hesitated to support what they were doing, even though it was risky— because they never hesitated either,” says Carlos Varela. The passion they had for making something different, something special, is what made Conej Steps Out stand out.
In our profession, the most important thing is to have faith and truly believe in what you do because hard work and perseverance are what will get you to your goals. Opportunities don’t just fall from the sky, and giving up is not an option for an artist or animator.”
- Carlos Varela
Frame by Frame: The Art of Hand-Drawn Animation
Every frame of Conej Steps Out was hand-drawn using the meticulous frame-by-frame technique, at a rate of 24 frames per second. Each image is unique and different from the rest, forming a short film composed of thousands of drawings that, when sequenced together, bring the animation to life.
Hand-drawn animation requires much more precision and attention to detail than digital animation, as there is no instant preview of the work. To check the progress of the animation, it must be recorded, but unlike digital, you can’t play it back continuously. This forces animators to plan every movement in advance and ensure that each frame is perfect before moving forward.
You have to think about each drawing before making it, because you won’t see it move until you record it. That makes you work in a completely different way.”
- Leyre Zapata
One of the key lessons the Chuminadas Animadas team learned at DigiPen was the importance of drawing as the foundation of animation. Before bringing a character to life, it is essential to understand its anatomy, expressions, and weight in space. The drawing classes refined their ability to observe, analyze, and accurately translate movement onto paper—an essential skill for any animator.
Each background was hand-painted using gouache and watercolor, giving the film a texture and warmth that is difficult to replicate with digital tools. Since the colors are applied on paper, they allow for better control and correction throughout the process while achieving a more organic and natural look.
The Chuminadas Animadas team worked like the great pioneers of animated cinema: with pencil, paper, and tons of passion. Every step of the process was meticulously planned, without relying on digital shortcuts, following a method that honors the tradition of the giants of classic animation:
- Storyboarding on paper, with each frame displayed on the wall like a visual map of the story, allowing them to see the entire film before even animating a single second.
- Sequence planning, organizing each shot with the precision of the old animation studios.
- Frame-by-frame assembly and review, without using digital tools to correct errors, relying solely on the animator’s skill and trained eye.
The now legendary character of Conej was not born with the short film—Pablo had created him years earlier, during his first courses at DigiPen, using him for various animation exercises. “Conej has existed since I entered DigiPen. I did all my coursework with him, so everyone already knew him. All that was missing was giving him a story,” says Pablo Río.
Music: a character itself
Following the tradition of classic musical cartoons, the soundtrack of Conej Steps Out plays a fundamental role in storytelling. To achieve this, they collaborated with Musikene, performed by a 20-piece live orchestra. The music doesn’t just follow the action—it drives it, enhances it, and elevates it to the next level. It is the invisible soul behind every gag, the secret rhythm behind every piece of madness. Collaborating with local institutions like Musikene creates a mutually beneficial synergy, enriching Bilbao’s artistic scene with fresh talent.
Even though they knew their short film was a solid piece of work, what has truly surprised the creators is the audience’s reaction. What started as a classroom experiment turned into an international phenomenon. They have received prestigious awards such as:
Official Selections and Screenings
A Universal Language
Despite knowing they had created something special, what surprised the team the most was the public’s reaction. What started as a classroom experiment turned into an international phenomenon. For Chuminadas Animadas, it was never about competing or winning trophies. Their mission has always been to make films that connect with people. With the incredible reception and journey of Conej Steps Out over the past year, they have realized that their short film is no longer just a project by four people in Bilbao—it has resonated across the world. Seeing their short film make audiences laugh in different corners of the world confirmed what they had always believed— there is a place for their vision in the industry. Classic animation isn’t dead. It was just waiting for someone to bring it back.
We make films so people can watch them and enjoy them. We want people to forget everything for seven minutes and just laugh. That’s what cinema is for us.”
- Leyre Zapata
The success of Conej Steps Out proves that humor is a universal language. It knows no barriers, ages, or languages. A sincere laugh can unite people from anywhere in the world, and that’s exactly what this short film has achieved. A sincere laugh can unite people from any corner of the world, and that is exactly what this short film has achieved. From the very beginning, Conej Steps Out was not created for a specific audience.It is not just for animators, nor just for children, nor solely for nostalgic fans of classic cartoons. It is for anyone who wants to have fun, to disconnect from the world for a moment, and let themselves be carried away by the magic of animation. They say it loud and clear: for all those young at heart.
We didn’t think about targets or specific audiences. We just wanted to make a short film that anyone could enjoy. Classic animation never had labels— it just wanted to make people laugh, and that’s what we’re trying to bring back.”
- Pablo Río
But there is something even more powerful about this kind of story: each viewer experiences it in their own unique way. And that is where the true magic of storytelling lies—it’s not just about what you say, but about what each person feels when they watch it. The magic of storytelling is found in the freedom for everyone to make it their own.
DigiPen’s role
The success of Conej Steps Out would not have been possible without the support of DigiPen and professor Sergio Martínez, who is responsible for promoting student projects in the festival circuit. Thanks to his efforts, the team had the opportunity to connect with key industry figures, receive valuable feedback, build professional relationships, and, of course, win the awards that propelled Conej Steps Out to the top.
Festivals are not just about showcasing your work, but about meeting incredible people. That’s where everything truly begins. Thanks to them, we’ve met people we now work with.”
- Sergio Martínez
But Sergio’s role extends far beyond submitting shorts to festivals. He serves as the bridge between academia and the industry, teaching students that talent alone is not enough if no one sees it. Timing, presence, and building a name that leaves a mark are just as crucial. Because at a festival, a short film is more than just a short—it’s a business card, an opportunity. The true achievement isn’t just winning an award; it’s what comes with a selection and screening. “At a festival, there might be someone who sees your work, likes it, and takes an interest in you,” says Professor Sergio Martínez. And it is precisely in that connection where the real victory lies—in the possibility that a recruiter, a producer, or a renowned industry professional discovers the talent of a young creator and opens the doors to their future.
Thanks to his dedication, DigiPen has established itself as a reference school in the international animation and video game festival circuit. For many students, a festival selection has not only been an achievement but the beginning of their careers.And Conej Steps Out is the perfect example of how a short film, born in a classroom, can become a global phenomenon.
What’s Next?
What began as a simple academic group project at DigiPen gradually evolved into something much greater. In an environment brimming with creativity, its members connected not only through shared interests but also through a philosophy of life—for them, animation is not just a technique; it is their language, their identity, their purpose. Four years of working together forged them into a tight-knit, perfectly synchronized team. As their mentor, Carlos Varela, highlights, they all rowed in the same direction, united by a clear vision and an unwavering commitment to the art of animation.
Following the success of Conej Steps Out, the team released With Rails and Gone Wild, another madcap adventure starring Conej and Claire. And they have no plans of stopping—they are already immersed in new projects, new characters, and new stories. They continue to carve their path, strengthen their ties with the industry, and, most importantly, bring laughter to those young at heart.
We want to help revive classic animation in Spain. Create a style, a way of doing things. We’ve found our niche— something that motivates us. And we’re going to keep going.”
- Pablo Río
Today, February 14, Conej Steps Out makes its debut on YouTube. A reminder that, in a world that sometimes takes itself too seriously, there’s still room for laughter and the magic of animation.
