A&E

Oscar comes to La.

by Dominick Cross

The 14-minute long film, the first by Moonbot, was one of five considered for the Oscar, including a film from Pixar.

When the Best Animated Short Film award went to The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore, a product of Shreveport's Moonbot Studios at last night's Oscars, it put Louisiana's film industry in the spotlight.

"This is awesome for Louisiana!" responds Julie Bordelon, assistant to City-Parish President Film-Media Lafayette Entertainment Initiative, in an email. "Not sure how it will affect Lafayette, but Moonbot's win could possibly help bring more animation work to the state and having Pixal Magic in Lafayette offers a great opportunity for the city to continue to reach out and appeal to other animation companies."

"The is a milestone moment for Moonbot Studios and a great reason for all of us to fall in love with the movies," Alexandyr Kent, executive director of Shreveport's Robinson Film Center, said in the Shreveport Times. "Our hats (are) off to the entire team behind Morris Lessmore for allowing us to witness the true power of the make believe. This is a big step forward for the Louisiana film industry."

The 14-minute long film, the first by Moonbot, was one of five considered for the Oscar, including a film from Pixar.

As Moonbot Studios' William Joyce and Brandon Oldenburg held tight to their Oscars, Joyce said in his acceptance speech:

"Look, we're just these two swamp rats from Louisiana. We love the movies more than anything. It's been a part of our lives since we were both kids."

"It's been a part of our DNA since we were children, and it's made us storytellers," said Oldenburg.

The film follows the protagonist, Morris Lessmore, who tries to put is life together with the help of books after a storm in New Orleans. It has already won more than a dozen awards.