Animated Short Film Director/Producer
Love in the Time of March Madness, was shortlisted for the Oscars in 2016 in the Best Short Animated Film category.
Melissa Johnson hit 6’4’’ tall in 8th grade. Although this made her an instant basketball star, Love in the Time of March Madness follows her hilarious and awkward misadventures in romance as she dates shorter men and gets cheered or jeered wherever she goes. Blazing with honesty and dark humor, this animated “tall short” is a true story about embracing difference that is certain to disarm and delight.
Love in the Time of March Madness is available for viewing as part of the Animation Show of Shows compilation.
Production art for "The Pit of the Greats""
Awards & Accolades
88th Academy Awards – Shortlisted for Best Animated Short Film
Tribeca Film Festival 2014 – Winner, Best Online Short Film
Sydney Underground Film Festival 2014 – Winner, Audience Choice Award
Australia Screen Sound Guild Awards – Best Sound for an Animated Short
Abu Dhabi Film Festival 2014 – Winner, Best Short Documentary
Flickerfest – Honourable Mention
4th Annual AFI/AACTA Awards – Nominated for Best Animated Short Film
Taoz Shortz Film Festival – Honourable Mention for Animation
Brooklyn Film Festival – Spirit Award for Animation
Animatou Festival International du Film d'Animation 2015 - Docanim Award for Best Documentary
17th Annual Animation Show of Shows
Official Selections at Festivals
2014
Tribeca Film Festival, Cinequest, Milwaukee Film Festival, Cinema Austin East, Florida Film Festival, Naples International Film Festival, Rooftop NYC, Encounters Short Film Festival, Calgary International Film Festival, Sydney Underground Film Festival, LA Shorts Fest, Abu Dhabi Film Festival and Denver Film Festival
2015
Flickerfest, Taoz Shortz Film Festival, Oxford Film Festival, Phoenix Film Festival, Alahambra Theatre, Newport Beach Film Festival, Brooklyn Film Festival, Palm Springs International Film Festival, Animatou Festival International du Film d'Animation, Annecy International Animated Film Festival.
Credits
Production Studios: KAPWA Studioworks & High Hip Productions
Directed & Produced by: Robertino Zambrano & Melissa Johnson
Written & Narrated by: Melissa Johnson
Original Music by: Albert Behar
Animation by: KAPWA Studioworks
KAPWA Animation Team
Robertino Zambrano (Animation Direction, Design)
Chad Yapyapan (3D Character Animation)
Alastair Sew Hoy (2D Traditional Animation, Compositing)
Francis Solinap (3D Modelling, Compositing)
Cristina Kuong (3D Modelling, Background Art)
Tristan Velasco (2D Animation, Compositing)
Dominique Dinel (Character Design, 2D Animation)
Andy Wright (Theatrical Re-recording Mix)
Marco Velasco (Sound Mix & Additional Sound Design for Bamm Bamm Wolfgang)
Adam Alexander (Sound Mix Supervisor for Bamm Bamm Wolfgang)
Music Credits
“Trimpin’s Studio”
Written by Albert Behar
Performed by Bridget Pasker
Published by Behar Sackner Modern
“The Waltz from Beyond”
Written by Albert Behar
Performed by Albert Behar, Alen Cileli, Vic Wong & Kenan O’Brien
Published by Behar Sackner Modern