Eight Shorts By Artists From Underrepresented Communities Will Premiere On HBO Max Next Month
Eight animated shorts produced as part of Warner Bros. Discovery’s HBO Max x Warnermedia Access Animated Shorts Program will premiere on HBO Max on March 23 under the title Only You: An Animated Shorts Collection.
The program was established as a launchpad for underrepresented artists. Last year, 12 participants were selected to engage in a year-long program that provided them with a budget, training, and the necessary tools to produce a five-to-seven-minute animated short aimed at adult audiences.
Each filmmaker or team of filmmakers was paired with executive mentors from Warner companies such as HBO Max, Adult Swim, Warner Animation Group, and Rooster Teeth. The projects were each overseen by producer Amanda Miller (Christopher at Sea).
Apart from their work on the animated shorts, program participants also attended masterclasses hosted by the likes of Harley Quinn creators Justin Halpern and Patrick Schumacker, Clone High producer Erica Rivinoja, Powerhouse Animation vp Dan Dominguez, Oscar-winning Hair Love director Matthew A. Cherry, DC Super Hero Girls director Noëlle Raffaele, Puss in Boots artist Ron Kurniawan, and Oscar-nominated Day & Night director Teddy Newton.
Brief synopses and a first-look image for the eight shorts can be found below.
Burning Rubber, Chris Fequiere
Duane Ruiz is out of college and out of options. Down on his luck, he has to choose between responsibilities at work and home or competing in the high-stakes Burning Rubber Wallball (AKA NYC handball) tournament.
Welcome to 8th Street, Yoo Lee and Xin Li
When newcomers attempt to settle into their New Jersey neighborhood on 8th Street, some odd encounters make them question their decision to move. However, that changes when a wild turkey shows up on their block.
Kent Hammer, Dominick Green
Kent Hammer, a confident and highly successful businessman with a loving family, slowly loses touch with reality through a psychotic episode and descends into madness. Kent befriends his briefcase as it talks to and guides him through his journey, but other office supplies may not be as trustworthy or helpful.
Yellowbird, Tsvetelina Zdraveva and Jerred North
While living in New York, a young immigrant receives tragic news from overseas and must choose between going home or staying in the US to maintain her legal status.
Monstr, Tank Standing Buffalo and Xstine Cook
How do you go on living when everything is taken from you in the blink of an eye? A true story of a young artist who confronts his inner demons while apprenticing with a northwest totem carver after the death of his beloved.
Aroon, Miriam Presas
A deluded hero has trapped himself within a storybook legend where he always saves the day. After a harrowing experience, the hero starts to question his morality, his purpose, and what makes his life worth living.
Kimotiwin: The Act of Stealing, Keara Lightning and Caeleigh Lightning
To steal back a flower that is special to her lover, Tiska embarks on a dangerous journey across an overgrown landscape, fighting demons in a post-apocalyptic city.
Leech, Aalaa Mohamed
A vampire obsessed with the quality of the blood they consume poses as a health coach to ensure they can control their clients’ lifestyles. This is the story of Minna, one victim who attempts to break free.
