“Ideal Companion” is a quiet, CGI animated short film set in a near-future where relaxation, comfort, and companionship are no longer physical — they are simulated. The film opens inside a clean, futuristic living space. Alone, a young boy sits down and puts on a VR headset designed for “virtual relaxation.” What begins as a simple attempt to rest quickly becomes immersive. The real world fades away, replaced by a tranquil forest filled with soft light, gentle colors, and the promise of peace. Inside this virtual environment, the boy encounters a cheerful dog — playful, attentive, and emotionally responsive. The companionship feels natural, almost real. Drawn by the comfort it offers, he follows the dog deeper into the simulation, ignoring a warning that marks a boundary he was never meant to cross. When the dog appears to be in danger, the boy reacts instinctively. Without hesitation, he jumps to save it — only for the illusion to shatter. The virtual world collapses, revealing that what he risked his life for was not a living being at all, but a cleaning robot inside his own home. The danger, however, was real. Film Information: • Medium: 2D Animation • Genre: Animation, Drama, Sci-Fi • Running Time: 1 min 23 sec • Logline: In a near-future home, a boy enters a virtual world for comfort — only to discover how dangerously real artificial companionship can become. • Synopsis: Seeking relaxation, a boy puts on a VR headset and escapes into a peaceful simulated forest. There, he forms a bond with a virtual dog and follows it beyond a warning barrier. When the dog appears to be in danger, he risks his own life to save it, only to realize the companion was never real — and that the consequences of the simulation are. Credits: • Director: Sylver Bian • Animator: Sylver Bian • Instructors: Kris Howald, Stephen Barnes, Mark Simon, Noel Hooper • Special Thanks: Harris Wu, Mark Wei, Jessie Zhao, Regina Wang, Gary Huang