EMPATHY / HUMAN / DEI
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is a framework aimed at fostering fair treatment and full participation of all people, particularly groups historically underrepresented or discriminated against. It serves to remove systemic barriers in workplaces and education, though it faces increasing scrutiny, with critics arguing it can lead to discriminatory practices.
Included
Logline: In a divided, desert world where tribes are strictly separated by their patterns and traits, an unlikely group of outcasts must unite to uncover a forgotten ancestral secret—proving that true strength lies not in uniformity, but in being woven together.
Film Overview
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Genre: Animated Social Fantasy / Adventure / Drama
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Style: Features a rich, distinct 3D animation style with stylized character designs, bold geometric body patterns, and vast, expressive desert landscapes reminiscent of Moana and Inside Out.
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Tone: Emotional, inspiring, thought-provoking, and deeply unifying.
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Themes: Diversity, equity, and inclusion; overcoming systemic prejudice; the power of accessibility; and finding a true sense of belonging.
The Plot: Different Patterns, One Sky
The vast, sun-drenched desert of Oasis Prima is home to the Shard Tribes—communities defined entirely by the patterns on their skin and the specific traits they pass down. For centuries, the Diamond Tribe, the Polka-Dot Clan, and the Solid Monochromes have lived in strict isolation, separated by towering sand dunes and ancient laws. They believe that mixing patterns brings chaos and weakens their magic, leading to a world of deep suspicion, exclusion, and systemic division.
The story follows Aria, a bright and fiercely determined young woman with striking red-and-white patterns who uses a beautifully crafted wooden wheelchair to navigate the rugged sands. Despite her sharp mind and artistic gift for reading ancestral history, Aria has spent her life being marginalized by her own community, who view her physical differences as a limitation rather than an asset.
When a sudden, devastating ecological crisis threatens to dry up the desert’s remaining water sources, the tribal elders refuse to work together, blaming one another’s “imperfect” traits for the disaster. Realizing that inaction means extinction, Aria sets off on a perilous journey across the shifting sands to find the Cradle of Life—the legendary birthplace of their ancestors.
Along the way, she crosses paths with an extraordinary group of outcasts from different clans: Kael, a towering, gentle giant from the bearded Diamond elders; Sana, a quiet young woman wearing a traditional head-covering cape whose patterns don’t fit any known clan; and Zayd, a sleek, muscular tracker from the Monochrome borderlands. Each has faced exclusion; each carries a unique perspective and adaptive skill that the traditional tribes have dismissed.
As this mismatched group faces the harsh trials of the deep desert, they discover that their differences are exactly what keep them alive. Where one struggles, another excels. Together, they must decode a series of ancient, geometric puzzle-locks left behind by the first builders—mechanisms that can only be unlocked when individuals of completely different patterns, shapes, and perspectives combine their strengths. With time running out and internal tribal conflicts threatening to spill into war behind them, Aria and her newfound family must reach the Cradle to uncover a truth that will challenge the foundations of Oasis Prima forever.
Why You Need to See It
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A Beautiful Metaphor for Our World: Included takes complex concepts of equity, representation, and accessibility and beautifully translates them into a whimsical, high-stakes fantasy adventure that resonates with audiences of all ages.
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Stunning Visual Diversity: The film’s art direction is a masterclass in visual storytelling, celebrating a vast array of body types, physical traits, skin tones, and cultural garments, all set against a brilliantly warm, sweeping desert backdrop.
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An Emotional Anthem of Unity: Moving beyond simple platitudes, this deeply touching story shows how true inclusion requires moving past mere tolerance and actively valuing the unique gifts that every single person brings to the table.
