Brave New Digital World: The Fantastic App of Mr. Morris Lessmore

Cover art for Oscar's best animated short subject of 2011

There was a gem of a short film released last year that was originally part of an app available on iTunes, and it won the Oscar earlier this year for best animated short subject called The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore. It’s a brilliant piece of filmmaking that will put a smile on your face.

Conceptual designer Brandon Oldenburg and children’s book author/illustrator William Joyce co-directed the charming tale about a hapless bookworm who bears a striking resemblance to silent cinema icon Buster Keaton, right down to his signature porkpie hat. He’s flown away by a hurricane to a home, where he discovers a flock of flying books and becomes caretaker for their library/aviary. It’s a charming little piece that takes advantage of mixing practical sets and animation to create a unique environment for Mr. Morris Lessmore.

If the trailer intrigues you, the storybook app for The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore can be downloaded at iTunes, and includes the entire short film. It’s part of a package that features an interactive children’s book that expands on the universe created in the short film, which was a finalist for the 2011 Cybils Book App award. If you’re a parent, the app is a must have for your children.

For anyone who wants to be a storyteller, apps seems like the perfect vehicle to get your voice heard by anyone who has access to an electronic device — which is just about everyone.

If you haven’t seen the Oscar-winning short yet, take a peak at it in its entirety below — you will be amazed.

You can follow David Derks on Twitter at @dderks

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2 Responses to “Brave New Digital World: The Fantastic App of Mr. Morris Lessmore”

  1. […] shorts, La Lunawas nominated for an Oscar in the animated shorts category earlier this year. The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore ended up taking the trophy home that night, but it didn’t diminish what La Lunatruly is. It […]

  2. […] Pixar shorts, La Luna was nominated for an Oscar in the animated shorts category earlier this year. The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore ended up taking the trophy home that night, but it didn’t diminish what La Luna truly is. It […]

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