Watch ‘In a Heartbeat’ (2017), the acclaimed animated short film. Follow a shy boy whose heart literally chases his secret crush in this charming story.
❤️ In a Heartbeat (2017) — Animated Short Film by Esteban Bravo & Beth David
A four‑minute burst of pure feeling, In a Heartbeat is the kind of short that says everything without a single spoken word. Written and directed by Esteban Bravo and Beth David as their senior thesis at Ringling College of Art and Design, it’s a tender, universal story about first love — and the courage it takes to let your heart be seen.
🧭 Overview
- Genre: Animation / Romance / Coming‑of‑Age
- Directors & Writers: Esteban Bravo · Beth David
- Music: Arturo Cardelús 🎼
- Voices: Nick Ainsworth · Kelly Donohue
- Production: Ringling College of Art and Design 🎓
- Distributed by: YouTube (free to watch)
- Runtime: ~4 minutes
- Country: United States 🇺🇸
- Language: No dialogue — universal visual storytelling
- Release date: 31 July 2017
- Funding: Kickstarter campaign raised $14,191 from 416 backers (goal was $3,000)
- Accolades: Shortlisted for the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film; viral hit with tens of millions of views
Watch full short:
YouTube short:
Vimeo Short:
📖 Story in Brief
Sherwin, a shy, ginger‑haired schoolboy, harbors a secret crush on Jonathan, the effortlessly cool boy in his class.
One morning, Sherwin hides behind a tree, watching Jonathan walk by. But his heart — literally — has other plans.
- The Escape: Sherwin’s heart bursts from his chest 💓, fully animated and determined, and races toward Jonathan.
- The Chase: Sherwin scrambles to catch it, leading to a series of awkward, almost‑encounters.
- The Moment: Inside the school, Sherwin finally grabs his heart — but it reaches out and clasps Jonathan’s hand.
- The Exposure: Classmates stare. Sherwin, mortified, pulls away, breaking the heart in two.
- The Resolution: Outside, Sherwin sits alone, holding half a heart. Jonathan approaches, holding the other half. They fit the pieces together, and the heart springs back to life, glowing warmly.
No words. Just music, color, and the universal language of vulnerability.
🎨 Creative DNA & Style
- Pixar‑level polish: Smooth 3D animation with expressive, cartoony character design.
- Color as emotion: Warm reds and oranges for love; cool blues and greys for fear and isolation.
- Physical comedy: The heart’s antics add levity to the emotional stakes.
- Score as dialogue: Arturo Cardelús’ music carries the emotional arc, from playful chase to tender reconciliation.
- Silent storytelling: Every beat is conveyed through movement, framing, and expression.
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- Original concept: Initially pitched as a boy‑meets‑girl story, Bravo and David changed it to a same‑sex romance to make it more personal and authentic.
- Kickstarter magic: The campaign’s overwhelming support allowed them to refine animation, hire a professional composer, and polish the final product.
- Viral reception: Upon release, it exploded online — shared by celebrities, covered by major outlets, and embraced by LGBTQ+ audiences worldwide.
✅ Pros & ❌ Cons
Pros
- 🎯 Universal appeal: Speaks to anyone who’s ever had a crush.
- 🎨 Gorgeous animation: Professional quality despite being a student project.
- 💬 Representation: A rare, joyful queer love story in mainstream‑quality animation.
- 🏆 Emotional punch: Manages to make you smile and tear up in under five minutes.
Cons
- ⏳ Very short: Leaves you wishing for a feature‑length expansion.
- 🌀 Simplicity: The plot is straightforward — but that’s also its charm.
🌟 Themes & Resonance
- First love: The thrill and terror of revealing your feelings.
- Authenticity: The heart as a metaphor for living openly.
- Courage: Facing judgment to be true to yourself.
- Universality: Love stories transcend language, culture, and orientation.
👥 Who Is It For?
- Animation lovers: Fans of Pixar, Disney, and heartfelt shorts.
- LGBTQ+ audiences: A rare, affirming portrayal of queer youth.
- Hopeless romantics: Anyone who’s ever had their heart run away with them.
💡 Humanized Takeaway
In a Heartbeat 2017 short film is proof that love stories don’t need words — just honesty, empathy, and a little magic. Bravo and David’s short is as much about the courage to be seen as it is about romance, and it leaves you with the warm, glowing reminder that sometimes, the heart knows best.
🔍 Find More & Watch
- Wikipedia entry on In a Heartbeat — full synopsis, production history, and reception.
- IMDb page for In a Heartbeat — cast, crew, and awards.
- Watch the full short on YouTube — free, official upload.