Q and A with Positive Barry
Posted 28th October 2025
The Vista Foundation 48Hours 2025 National Winner ‘Positive Barry’ with their film ‘Grounded’.
A duo team of Chris Callus and Adam Reynolds from Te Whanganui-a-Tara / Wellington.
Tell us about your film?
Chris: Our film is about a young ladybug struggling to fly. After being left behind by its peers, the ladybug encounters a friendly spider who tries to uncover the best way to support its new friend.
Do you have any stories from the Vista Foundation 48HOURS shoot weekend?
Chris: It’s the longest animation I've done for The Vista Foundation 48Hours competition, so I had to draw on all the tips and tricks I’ve learnt from doing the competition since high school in 2007.
Adam: Most of our weekend was spent staring at computer screens, drinking coffee and hoping we were working fast enough to finish the film. Luckily, we submitted with 30 minutes to spare!
How did you come up with the idea?
Chris: We are both so proud that at its core the film is a mental health story about anxiety and feeling stuck. On the surface it’s a wholesome story featuring an adorable ladybug but underneath it’s about the importance of emotional support.
Adam: We’ve both felt like the ladybug and the spider at different times. The film was inspired by our discoveries on how best to support each other in a moment of need, and often that can simply just mean being there for one another.
How do you feel after winning?
Adam: I froze in my seat as it was announced and then looked around in disbelief as all of our family and friends screamed with joy. We didn’t expect this in our wildest dreams.
Chris: It’s our second time competing as a duo team, but we’ve been in separate teams doing the competition for many years now, with 18 entries combined. But we’ve never placed in the top 3, let alone actually winning!
What are you going to do next?
Adam: Almost immediately we were asked “what’s next?” by nearly everyone!
Chris: Honestly we’re trying to focus on enjoying this moment and appreciating all of the lovely comments and support we’ve received, from family, friends and complete strangers. It’s been overwhelming and heartwarming.
Of course, we’re excited to expand our team and make another animation with the amazing prizes we’ve received, watch this space!
Adam: We may also be working on a “Grounded 2.0”. A version of the film that's got a little more polish and sparkle but is the same story with the same heart. Hopefully enter it into some film festivals and keep highlighting the importance of having support when you need it most