Mary Anning

''Mary Anning'' is a family animated film directed by Marcel Barelli that sensitively imagines the childhood of a real pioneer in science. 

Set in 1811, it follows Mary Anning, a twelve-year-old girl with an insatiable curiosity for rocks and hidden veins by the sea. Day after day, she explores the coast collecting fossils (those “stones from another time”) that her father teaches her as if they were treasures from the past.

Mary's life takes a turn when her father unexpectedly dies, leaving her an enigmatic drawing and plunging her family into difficulties. Determined to help her mother and brother, the girl embarks on a dual journey: on one hand, the literal one, from the beach to the cracks of the cliffs in search of clues; on the other, the emotional one, of discovery and personal growth. 

In her effort to decipher the mystery of the drawing, Mary not only finds new fossils, but also unexpected friendships, unforgettable adventures, and the first glimpses of what will become modern paleontology, the field of science that will later change the way we understand life on Earth.

The film celebrates the determination, courage, and imagination of a girl who, despite her young age, has the willpower to look beyond the present. 

Although it is aimed at a young audience, its story connects with universal values such as perseverance in the face of adversity, the importance of learning from nature, and the role of women in the construction of scientific knowledge.