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Kobe Bryant's Oscar-winning short film, Dear Basketball, is an animated autobiographical romance between Bryant and basketball. The film is based on a poem Bryant wrote in November 2015, announcing his retirement from the sport. The five-minute short film was directed and animated by Glen Keane and narrated by Bryant himself. It tells the story of a little boy living out his basketball dream, depicting Bryant's journey from his youth to becoming a basketball legend.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Dear Basketball |
| Year | 2017 |
| Duration | 5 minutes |
| Genre | Animation, Short, Biography |
| Awards | Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film, Best Traditional Animation, Special Jury Award at the World Animation Celebration International Film Festival |
| Director | Glen Keane |
| Narrator | Kobe Bryant |
| Music | John Williams |
| Based on | Kobe Bryant's poem 'Dear Basketball' |
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What You'll Learn
'Dear Basketball' is a short film
Dear Basketball is a short film. It was written and narrated by Kobe Bryant and directed and animated by Glen Keane, with music by Oscar-winning composer John Williams. The film is based on a poem Bryant wrote in November 2015, which was published in The Players' Tribune to announce his retirement from basketball.
The animated short film tells the story of a young boy living out his basketball dreams. It starts with a game-winning dunk and then cuts to Bryant as a six-year-old boy, rolling his father's tube socks and taking imaginary shots. He describes his love for basketball and how he gave it his all—his mind, body, spirit, and soul. He explains that he never saw the end of the tunnel, only himself running out of one, and so he ran up and down every court, chasing his dreams.
The film then transitions to Bryant's adulthood, where he reflects on his injuries and accepts that it's time to say goodbye to the sport. He ends the film with a heartfelt farewell to basketball, signing off with "Love you always, Kobe."
Dear Basketball has received critical acclaim and won several awards, including the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film at the 90th Academy Awards in 2018. It was the first Oscar win for a professional athlete and veteran animator Glen Keane. The film was briefly available to view online but has since been taken down.
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It was written, narrated by and stars Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant's 'Dear Basketball' is an animated short film released in 2017. It was written and narrated by Bryant and directed and animated by Glen Keane. The film is based on a poem Bryant wrote in November 2015, which was published in The Players' Tribune to announce his retirement from basketball.
The film begins with Bryant making a dunk as the game clock is running out, winning the game for the Los Angeles Lakers. He then says, "Dear Basketball", and reminisces about his childhood, rolling his father's tube socks and shooting imaginary game-winning shots. He describes his love for basketball and how he gave it his all—his mind, body, spirit, and soul. Bryant explains that even as a six-year-old boy, he never saw the end of the tunnel, and so he always played the game with everything he had.
Bryant also reflects on his Achilles heel injury from 2013 and accepts that he only has one more NBA season left in him. He comes to terms with letting go of basketball and expresses his gratitude for the sport. The film ends with Bryant's iconic buzzer-beater shots and his final words to basketball: "Love you always, Kobe."
'Dear Basketball' has received numerous accolades, including the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film at the 90th Academy Awards in 2018. This made Bryant the first African American and the first professional athlete to win an Oscar in this category. The film also won the Best Traditional Animation and Special Jury Award at the 2017 World Animation Celebration International Film Festival.
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It is based on a poem Kobe Bryant wrote
The animated short film "Dear Basketball" is based on a poem written by Kobe Bryant. The poem was first published in a November 2015 edition of The Players' Tribune, a website that features first-person accounts written by professional athletes. It was written in the form of a love letter to the sport and served as Bryant's retirement announcement.
The film, which runs a little longer than five minutes, tells the story of a young boy living out his basketball dreams. It is narrated by Bryant and directed and animated by Glen Keane, with music by John Williams. The film begins with a depiction of Bryant making a dunk as the game clock runs out, winning the game for the Los Angeles Lakers. He then reminisces about his childhood, rolling his father's tube socks and shooting imaginary game-winning shots. He describes his unwavering dedication to the sport, which continued even as his body began to break down due to injury.
"Dear Basketball" has received critical acclaim and won several awards, including the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 2018. It was included in The Animation Showcase world tour in 2018 and won the Best Traditional Animation and Special Jury Award at the 2017 World Animation Celebration International Film Festival. The film is a powerful and emotional tribute to Bryant's love for the sport and serves as a lesson in passion, dedication, and acceptance.
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It won an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film
Kobe Bryant's 'Dear Basketball' is a short film that won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 2018. The film is based on a poem Bryant wrote in November 2015, which was published in The Players' Tribune to announce his retirement from basketball. The poem is a love letter to the sport, detailing his lifelong passion for the game and his decision to retire. The film was directed and animated by Glen Keane and narrated by Bryant himself. It features music by Oscar-winning composer John Williams.
'Dear Basketball' is a powerful and emotional tribute to the game of basketball and the impact it had on Bryant's life. It follows the story of a young boy chasing his basketball dreams and the sacrifices he makes along the way. The film showcases Bryant's unrelenting drive and dedication to the sport, highlighting the hard work and self-motivation that went into achieving his dreams. It also explores themes of purpose, acceptance, and learning to let go.
The animated short film has received critical acclaim and has been included in various film festivals and showcases, including The Animation Showcase world tour in 2018. It won the Best Traditional Animation and Special Jury Award at the 2017 World Animation Celebration International Film Festival. The film has also received a positive response from audiences, with many praising its ability to evoke melancholy feelings and inspire its viewers.
The success of 'Dear Basketball' is a testament to the impact that Bryant had not only on the sport but also on the world of film and animation. The film's Academy Award win further solidified its place in the industry and cemented Bryant's legacy as a creative and influential figure both on and off the court. The film continues to inspire and touch the lives of many, serving as a reminder of Bryant's talent and dedication to his craft.
'Dear Basketball' is a powerful example of how art can be used to pay homage to a passion, in this case, Kobe Bryant's love for the game of basketball. The film's impact extended beyond the basketball court and into the hearts of many, serving as a reminder of the power of animation and storytelling in honouring life's greatest passions and journeys.
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It was directed and animated by Glen Keane
The animated short film "Dear Basketball" was directed and animated by Glen Keane, a veteran Disney animator and son of "The Family Circus" creator Bil Keane. The film is based on a poem Kobe Bryant wrote in November 2015 to announce his retirement from basketball. The poem was first published in The Players' Tribune and was later adapted into a 5-minute movie, with narration by Bryant himself.
Keane's direction and animation style contributed significantly to the film's success and impact. He experimented with new techniques, such as animating sweat, to bring the story to life. This involved using a separate sheet laid over the drawing, where a soft layer of graphite was added. By taking pictures with his iPhone and converting them into negatives, Keane created the effect of sweat running down the character's face.
The collaboration between Bryant and Keane resulted in a powerful and moving tribute to the sport of basketball and Bryant's journey as an athlete. The film showcases Keane's ability to capture the emotion and passion of the story, bringing a new dimension to Bryant's words.
"Dear Basketball" went on to win several awards, including the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film at the 90th Academy Awards in 2018. This win marked a significant milestone, as it was the first Oscar win for a professional athlete (Kobe Bryant) and Keane himself. The film's success highlights the effective combination of Bryant's storytelling and Keane's visual storytelling abilities.
The impact of "Dear Basketball" extends beyond its awards and critical acclaim. It has left a lasting impression on audiences, serving as an inspiring reminder of the dedication and passion required to pursue one's dreams.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Kobe Bryant's poem 'Dear Basketball' was adapted into a short film.
The film is around 5 minutes long.
Yes, it won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film at the 90th Academy Awards. It also won Best Traditional Animation and Special Jury Award at the 2017 World Animation Celebration International Film Festival.
The film is a tribute to the game of basketball, narrated by Bryant, and tells the story of how he fell in love with the sport as a six-year-old boy and his journey to becoming a professional basketball player.
