Watch Hair Love — Oscar-winning animated short film by Matthew A. Cherry, Everett Downing Jr., & Bruce W. Smith. A heartwarming tale of love, family & embracing natural hair.
Hair Love — short film by Matthew A. Cherry, Everett Downing Jr., and Bruce W. Smith 🎬💜
Hair Love is a tender, six‑minute animated short film about a dad, a daughter, and the love wrapped up in natural hair. It’s warm, funny, and quietly devastating in the best way — the kind of story that makes a whole room softer by the end. ✨
Overview
Hair Love is a 2019 American animated short directed by Matthew A. Cherry, Everett Downing Jr., and Bruce W. Smith, written by Cherry, and featuring Issa Rae as the voice of the mother. It premiered in theaters with The Angry Birds Movie 2, runs about 6 minutes, and won the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film at the 92nd Academy Awards.
The film began as a 2017 Kickstarter that blew past its $75,000 goal, raising over $300,000; it also became a children’s book in May 2019 illustrated by Vashti Harrison. A spinoff series, Young Love, was later ordered and premiered on Max in September 2023.
Watch it the short:
Story at a glance
Six‑year‑old Zuri tries to style her hair using her mom’s tutorial video; when it doesn’t go as planned, her dad Stephen steps in. Together they learn, try, fail, and try again — until a hospital visit reveals why this hair day matters so much. The short lands with a loving hug of a twist and a clear message: family is a team sport.
Craft and storytelling tools
- Perspective: Intimate framing puts you right beside Zuri and her dad — the laughs, the sighs, the tiny victories. 🎥
- Visual humor: Hair as a boxing match; combs as corner coaches — playful gags that never undercut the heart. 🥊
- Sound & music: Gentle cues that guide emotion without telling you what to feel. 🎵
- Symbolism: Scarves, mirrors, curls — everyday objects carrying big meaning. 🪞
- Representation: Affirming Black hair, fatherhood, and care as everyday heroism. 🫶
Pros and cons
- Emotion: Heartfelt without being saccharine; an earned tear. 😊
- Economy: A complete arc in six minutes — no filler, just feeling. ⏱️
- Craft: Clean animation, precise pacing, memorable visual gags. 🎨
- Impact: Perfect for classrooms, families, and community screenings. 🏫
- Limitation: It’s short — some will wish to linger longer with these characters. 📏
Key features
- Oscar‑winning short: Winner of Best Animated Short Film (92nd Academy Awards). A compact masterclass in feeling big with small strokes.
- Children’s book companion: Released May 2019 with art by Vashti Harrison — a perfect bridge for family reading.
- Kickstarter roots: Community‑powered funding that exceeded $300,000 on a $75,000 goal — proof of hunger for this story.
- Spinoff series: Young Love extends the family’s world, premiering on Max in September 2023.
- Theatrical pairing: Debuted with The Angry Birds Movie 2; runtime about six minutes — small window, big heart.
Use cases and applications
- Education: Discussion starter on empathy, identity, resilience, and media representation. 🍎
- Family time: Co‑view & talk — then try a new style together. 💇♀️
- Community events: Short‑film nights or cultural festivals; opens conversation without heavy exposition. 🫱🏽🫲🏼
- Creative studies: Analyze pacing, visual metaphor, and storytelling economy. ✍️
Who is it for?
- Parents & kids: A loving nudge toward patience and partnership. 👨👧
- Educators & counselors: A safe, resonant entryway into big feelings. 🧑🏫
- Filmmakers & students: A blueprint for emotional storytelling on a budget. 🎬
- Everyone with hair (and a heart): You’ll see yourself somewhere in this mirror. 💜
How to watch and learn more
- Watch online: Sony Pictures Animation has posted the full short on Dailymotion for easy viewing and sharing.
- Deep dive: Production details, release, and accolades are well documented on Wikipedia; cast and credits are on IMDb.
If you want, I can craft a classroom or family discussion guide — 10 questions, a mini activity, and a gentle prompt for talking about hair, identity, and care. 🌟
