When the Leaves Fell is a hand-drawn animated short tracing Appu’s emotional journey as he reflects on his childhood in Maniyur, Kerala. The narrative centres on his profound bond with an old tree in his grandmother’s yard, a silent companion and playground. Shifting between vibrant childhood memories and the muted reality of the present, the film explores the personal rupture caused by the tree’s felling amidst urban development. This loss symbolises a broader disconnection from land and memory. Through the presence of a mysterious bird and magical symbolism, the story blends realism with layered nostalgia. As Appu confronts the disappearance of familiar spaces, the film becomes a quiet exploration of grief and the emotional cost of "progress." Ultimately, it asks what we truly lose when we outgrow the landscapes that shaped us, questioning whether we ever truly let go of the roots that hold our identity.