“Endless Cookie” isn’t like other cartoon movies. This Canadian cartoon documentary, which came out in 2025, is a touching and funny look at family, culture, and identity. The movie, which was directed by half-brothers Seth and Peter Scriver, is a unique mix of personal stories, historical reflections, and fun animation. The project took almost ten years to finish, and the end result is a highly personal and culturally important work of art that speaks to people on many levels.
The movie is mostly about what it’s like to be half-brothers with the same father but very different upbringings. Peter and Seth are in a relationship but Peter’s mother is Cree and Seth’s mother is white. They have to deal with their 16-year age difference and the complicated parts of their ethnic identities. They worked together to make a movie that is about their relationship as well as the experience of Indigenous people in Canada as a whole.
What is the story of “Endless Cookie”?
“Endless Cookie” is basically an animated version of a very personal family scrapbook. The story of the movie is based on Peter’s memories, which run through the whole thing. These memories are more than just personal stories; they show how complicated life is for Indigenous people in Canada. The movie talks about some very important historical and political problems—such as the effects of residential schools, land disputes—and the unfair incarceration of ‘First Nations people’.
Its name, “Endless Cookie,” comes from the fact that Peter’s daughter Cookie Scriver is portrayed in the movie as a chocolate chip cookie with legs. This silly picture is just one example of the film’s unique and often strange visual style. The people in the movie have long noses that make them look like wrinkled pickles or—deflated balloons. While these designs don’t necessarily reflect the physical appearance of the people they’re based on, they capture their essence in a way that is both humorous and deeply human.
The Making of “Endless Cookie”
The process of making “Endless Cookie” was anything but simple. It began in 2016 and had many problems, such as Peter’s busy family life and the fact that getting to Shamattawa, a remote fly-in town in northern Manitoba, was hard to plan. Making the movie is part of the story because it shows how Peter’s memories were brought to life over nine years.
Seth, who was in charge of art, went back and forth between Toronto and Shamattawa to collect materials and record sounds. It wasn’t like any other process. Because Peter’s family didn’t know how to use expert recording gear, they often sent Seth empty files instead of the ones they were supposed to have. The movie sounds like real life, with kids playing, friends talking and neighbors stopping by.
The animation style is loose and flowy, just like the talks it’s based on, which are very natural. The story is elliptical, starting with one thread—then moving on to another, and then coming back to the first one later, like a casual chat with family. The film’s structure makes it feel like a live, breathing thing instead of a tightly scripted story. It has a dreamlike, meandering quality.
Thoughts and Themes
“Endless Cookie” is more than just a bunch of funny stories and strange personalities. It looks like a fun movie, but it’s really a deep look at Indigenous identity and survival. The movie talks about some pretty heavy topics, like the effects of residential schools, the taking of Indigenous lands, and the problems that First Nations people have with the way things are set up. But it does so with a light touch, using humor and strange images to make these ideas easy to understand.
One of the most interesting things about the movie is how well it balances the sad and the funny. Peter’s joy is always there in the movie, even when he’s talking about some of the worst times in his life. His community’s strength and sense of fun are shown by this “such is life” attitude. “Native people are funny,” Peter says. It’s the only group of people I’ve found where nothing important happens very often. “There must always be a joke.”
The Scribes’ Special Bond;
The main idea of “Endless Cookie” is the friendship between Seth and Peter. They are half-brothers, but they are very different from each other in age and culture. Their bond is both unique and general. The movie shows how they deal with their differences, share their stories, and find things they have in common by looking at their past together.
Seth’s job as artistic lead lets him show off how good Peter is at telling stories. Peter is a great speaker, even though he doesn’t have a hypnotic voice or a very interesting way of telling stories. He can make even the most boring stories interesting. Seth’s animations bring Peter’s stories to life in a way that is beautiful to look at and makes you feel something.
A Party to Honor Community and Creativity
“Endless Cookie” is a celebration of society and the act of making art. In this movie, the history of people who came before is honored while the lives of those who take that history forward are shown. The Scrivers’ work together shows how powerful stories can be and; how important it is to keep cultural traditions alive.
People who watch “Endless Cookie” have a completely unique experience. This movie is hard to put into a single category because it combines animation, documentary, and a personal story into a unique whole. Another great way to describe “Endless Cookie” is by Sundance senior programmer Shari Frilot: “one of the most delightful, most profound, playful docs I’ve ever seen about community and the creative process.”
If you’re looking for a film that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, “Endless Cookie” is a must-watch. It’s a testament to the enduring spirit of the Scriver family and the rich cultural heritage they celebrate.