The past two years have been notable for animated dramas such as Flee (also screening in this year’s festival lineup), Josep and My Favorite War that grippingly deal with war, persecution and migration. The Crossing, which utilizes a gorgeous oil-on-glass animation technique, also deals with these subjects, but in a more universal way. Both simple and profound, the story is set in a place that seems like Eastern Europe or maybe the Middle East, although the non-specifics of the location reinforce the idea that such things could happen anywhere that hate takes hold. When a small village is looted at night, a family flees, but the two older children, Kyona and Adriel, become separated from their parents. In search of shelter, peace, refuge and their family, the courageous siblings survive incredible challenges. Refusing to be parted from her notebook, artist Kyona bears witness, as do we viewers.