Kristian Ferrell
Kobe Bryant's short film 'Dear Basketball' won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 2018. The film, based on a letter Bryant wrote for The Players' Tribune in 2015, was directed and animated by Glen Keane and featured music by John Williams. It was the first Oscar win for both Bryant, who became the first African American to win in this category, and Keane, a veteran Disney animator.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of release | 2017 |
| Awards won | Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film, Webby Award, Platinum Award for Digital Marketing Campaign, Platinum Award for PR Campaign, Annie Award |
| Director | Glen Keane |
| Animator | Glen Keane |
| Music composer | John Williams |
| Narrator | Kobe Bryant |
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What You'll Learn
Kobe Bryant's first Oscar
'Dear Basketball' was directed and animated by Glen Keane, a former Disney animator, and narrated by Bryant himself. The film's score was composed by John Williams, known for his work on the 'Star Wars' movies, among many other classics.
Bryant's win was a significant moment in the history of the Academy Awards, as he became the first former professional athlete to be nominated for and win an Oscar. He was also the first African-American to win in the Best Animated Short Film category. In his acceptance speech, Bryant addressed the expectations placed on basketball players, saying, "As basketball players, we're really supposed to shut up and dribble. I'm glad we're doing much more than that."
In addition to his Oscar win, 'Dear Basketball' also won several other awards, including Best Traditional Animation and Special Jury Award at the 2017 World Animation Celebration International Film Festival. The film holds a 69% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes as of June 2020.
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Best Animated Short Film
Kobe Bryant's animated short film "Dear Basketball" won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film at the 90th Academy Awards in 2018. The film was directed and animated by Glen Keane, with music by John Williams. It was based on a poem Bryant wrote in 2015 to announce his retirement from the NBA.
"Dear Basketball" was the first Oscar win for Bryant, who became the first former professional athlete and the first African American to win in this category. It was also the first Oscar win for Keane, a veteran Disney animator. In his acceptance speech, Bryant said:
> "As basketball players, we're really supposed to shut up and dribble, but I'm glad we did a little bit more than that."
The short film was also included in The Animation Showcase world touring screening in 2018 and won the Best Traditional Animation and Special Jury Award at the 2017 World Animation Celebration International Film Festival held at Sony Pictures Animation.
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John Williams' score
Kobe Bryant's Oscar-winning short film Dear Basketball was scored by the legendary composer John Williams. The film is an animated short produced and narrated by the late NBA All-Star Kobe Bryant. It is based on a letter Bryant wrote for The Players' Tribune in 2015, announcing his retirement from basketball.
Williams' score for the film is described as "emotional" and "poignant", and it is said to go hand in hand with the film's narration, creating a touching message of love and loss. The score was performed by the Star Wars orchestra, and Williams himself performed it live at the Hollywood Bowl in the summer before the film's release.
Williams is a five-time Oscar winner and has 52 Academy Award nominations, making him the second most-nominated individual after Walt Disney. Despite his illustrious career, Dear Basketball is one of only three shorts he has scored and the only animated one.
In an interview, Williams spoke about his friendship with Bryant, who sadly passed away in a helicopter crash in 2020. He said that Bryant "was always seeking to define and understand inspiration even while modestly, and almost unknowably, he was an inspiration to countless millions".
Dear Basketball won several awards, including the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film at the 90th Academy Awards, making Bryant the first African American and the first former professional athlete to win in this category. The film also won the Best Traditional Animation and Special Jury Award at the 2017 World Animation Celebration International Film Festival and was nominated for a Webby Award in 2018.
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Glen Keane's animation
Kobe Bryant's animated short film 'Dear Basketball' is based on a poem he wrote in 2015 when he announced his retirement from the NBA. The film was directed and animated by Glen Keane, a veteran Disney animator known for his work on films such as "The Little Mermaid", "Beauty and the Beast", and "Aladdin".
Keane's animation style in "Dear Basketball" is hand-drawn and experimental. He tried out new techniques, such as animating sweat by using a separate sheet of paper with a soft layer of graphite, which he then photographed with his iPhone and turned into a negative, creating the illusion of sweat running down a face. This innovation showcases Keane's creativity and dedication to bringing Bryant's story to life.
The film "Dear Basketball" has received numerous accolades, including the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film at the 90th Academy Awards. This made Bryant the first professional athlete and NBA player to win an Oscar, and it was also Keane's first Oscar win. In addition, the film received the Best Traditional Animation and Special Jury Award at the 2017 World Animation Celebration International Film Festival held at Sony Pictures Animation. It was also included in The Animation Showcase's world tour in 2018, further showcasing its excellence in animation.
Overall, Glen Keane's animation in "Dear Basketball" is a testament to his talent and creativity as an animator. His ability to convey complex emotions and tell a story through his hand-drawn animations has earned him well-deserved recognition in the animation industry.
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Retirement announcement
Kobe Bryant's retirement from the NBA was announced in a poem, which was later adapted into an animated short film called 'Dear Basketball'. The film was released in 2017, a year after Bryant retired from basketball.
In the film, Bryant narrates his love for the game, which began when he was a child. He reminisces about his childhood, rolling his father's tube socks and shooting imaginary game-winning shots. He describes how his love for basketball inspired him to give his all—his "mind, body, spirit and soul". However, due to his Achilles heel injury in 2013, he accepts that he only has one more NBA season left in him. In the film's closing moments, Bryant reflects on his iconic buzzer-beater shots and bids farewell to the sport, signing off with, "Love you always, Kobe."
'Dear Basketball' won several awards, including the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film at the 90th Academy Awards, making Bryant the first former professional athlete and the first African American to win in this category. The film also won the Annie Award, the animation industry's most prestigious prize, and the Best Traditional Animation and Special Jury Award at the 2017 World Animation Celebration International Film Festival.
In his Oscar acceptance speech, Bryant said, "As basketball players, we're really supposed to shut up and dribble, but I'm glad we did a little bit more than that."
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Frequently asked questions
Dear Basketball won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film.
Kobe Bryant wrote and narrated the film.
Glen Keane directed and animated the film.
John Williams composed the music for Dear Basketball.
Dear Basketball won Best Traditional Animation and Special Jury Award at the 2017 World Animation Celebration International Film Festival. It also won the Annie Award, the animation industry's most prestigious prize.
