An animator for Pixar, Frank Abney, has made the directorial debut of his first animated short film, Canvas, on Netflix. The film, which features expertly and beautifully animated African-American characters, is a story of how a family can overcome grief. He says the stories of the people around him inspired the film.
Abney came up with the concept in 2014 and presented it to the studio where he was employed. So, after leaving the corporation, he had to wait to receive the film’s rights back. Only two years ago, after five years of development, were fans given a sneak peek, which immediately went viral.
He launched a Kickstarter campaign to help the film’s production team raise at least $20,000. With an additional 38 backers, the campaign garnered an extra $62,000. Canvas presents a sympathetic, heartwarming tale about a grandfather who attempts to rediscover his inspiration after a loss.
Abney revealed that he was inspired by various people, including his stoic and reserved grandfather, his mother, who had lost her husband when he was five years old, and his niece, who effortlessly spread joy. Abney collaborated with several authors and artists from three continents to make the award-winning short film Hair Love. Abney was also an executive producer on the project.
I’m overwhelmed,” he told the Atlanta Black Star. “We were just working on this in our spare time, and you don’t know where these things will go… But I’m just so thankful to be partnering with Netflix and being able to share it with a broad audience. My ultimate goal is that I want people to be inspired by it and also understand that there are black filmmakers out there.”
