Nominated for an Academy Award in 2017, this French stop-motion animated short film, based on a poem by Ron Koertge, poignantly explores the bond between a father and son through the meticulous art of packing a suitcase. What is its title?

The French stop-motion animated short film nominated for an Academy Award in 2017, which explores the deep connection between a father and son through the careful process of packing a suitcase, is titled "Negative Space." This poignant film, directed by Ru Kuwahata and Max Porter, received an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Short Film at the 90th Academy Awards. While the directors are based in the United States, the film was largely produced in France by Ikki Films and Manuel Cam Studio, qualifying its French origin.

"Negative Space" is a remarkable adaptation of a 150-word prose poem by American poet Ron Koertge. The filmmakers meticulously employed handmade stop-motion animation to bring the poem's visual metaphors and underlying themes to life. The narrative centers on a son recalling his father's detailed lessons on how to perfectly pack a suitcase, a ritual that became their unique form of bonding, particularly as the father traveled frequently for business.

The film skillfully uses the seemingly mundane act of packing to delve into deeper emotional territory, reflecting on memory, connection, and loss. The son's recollections, often fantastical, contrast with the stark reality of his father's passing, highlighting the "wasted space" in his father's coffin in a powerful closing image. This intricate and touching film garnered significant acclaim, winning numerous awards at various festivals before its Academy Award nomination.