The animated short Dres the Thief, the first original production from the NY based fashion house Descendant of Thieves, will make its world premiere at the 2026 Dances With Films Festival, taking place June 18–26 at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.
A dark, richly textured animated film, Dres the Thief centers on the enigmatic character of Dres Ladro, inspired by the brand’s lead designer and creative force behind Descendant of Thieves’ distinctive menswear aesthetic. Drawing from the designer’s anecdotal origins, the story follows a young Ladro as he is gradually pulled toward his creative destiny—secretly stealing his father’s shirts and transforming them into bold, original designs.
A pivotal dinner table confrontation captures the emotional core of the film: as his father voices frustration over the missing garments, tension builds within the household, underscored by the low growl of the family dog. Retreating to his room, Dres channels defiance into creation, beginning yet another design with a mischievous yet determined resolve.
The film is the brainchild of Descendant of Thieves founder Matteo Maniatty, who penned the script, alongside Suwana Perry, co-owner and COO, who serves as executive producer. Director and animator Tomas Vergara—known for his visually striking works Isolated and Quimera (starring Martín Rodríguez)—joined the project following a chance meeting with Maniatty in Barcelona.
“From our first conversation, I could tell Tomas saw stories differently,” said Maniatty. “There was a depth to his thinking and visual imagination that immediately stood out. I left that meeting feeling like I had found the person who could bring Dres the Thief to life.” At the time, the script had been shelved, awaiting the right creative partner. Their shared commitment to craft and intentional storytelling ultimately brought the project to fruition.
Entirely hand-drawn and richly layered, the animation reflects Vergara’s signature style while echoing the meticulous, small-batch philosophy that defines Descendant of Thieves. Founded by Maniatty alongside the elusive Dres Ladro, the brand was built in opposition to mass-produced fashion, guided by two core principles: limited production runs and the preservation of Ladro’s undisclosed identity. Suwana Perry is the film’s executive producer.
Dres the Thief will screen on June 21 at 11:45 AM as part of Comp Shorts Block 4 at the TCL Chinese Theatre (6925 Hollywood Blvd).
Tickets: DRES THE THIEF | DANCES WITH FILMS
