'The Fantastic Flying Books Of Mr. Morris Lessmore,' Oscar-Nominated Animated Short,' Available To Watch Online (VIDEO)

Books have the power to transfix a reader. A turn of the page provides an alternate story to live, be it a line prose or a hefty epic. Moonbot Studios' animated short "The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore" highlights the delight of literature through its very own story.

"The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore" was one of five nominations for the 2012 Academy Awards' Best Animated Short category, announced Jan. 24. The Shreveport, Louisiana-based studio released the short as its first animation project.

Directed by William Joyce and Brandon Oldenburg, the 15-minute film draws from Hurricane Katrina, "The Wizard of Oz," Buster Keaton and, of course, a love for books. The story starts in New Orleans with the Keaton-like Mr. Morris Lessmore writing a book on the balcony of a hotel. A menacing storm swirls into town, blowing away houses and street signs, taking Mr. Lessmore and his unfinished book with it. Lessmore is transported to a land filled with fluttering novels; a land where he can dedicate his life to filling his book with the abundance of words he is now surrounded with.

"The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore" has already won 13 awards, including "Best Animated Short" and "Audience Award Winner" at the Austin Film Festival, and "Best Animated Short" at the Cinequest Film Fest.

Watch "The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore" below, or head over to Moonbot Studios' website to watch:

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore from Moonbot Studios on Vimeo.

Comments

[temptxan]

10:51 PM on 02/26/2012

Tells me it is a private video and I need a password...free on itunes

[Shawn Fraine]

03:34 PM on 02/08/2012

This was an amazing piece. Such beauty. I was near tears by the end of it.

[Julie A. Carlson]

10:26 PM on 02/02/2012

I can see why it's won so many awards! Terrific animation and story. I hope it wins the Oscar :)

[JG Sandom]

09:06 PM on 02/02/2012

I am currently working on my tenth novel and for years I have tried to explain to my 11 year old daughter why I write, and why I love books. The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore was able to do just that . . . without a single word. This is one of the most beautiful films about the love and power of literature that I have ever seen. Thank you, Bill. Fantastic!

J.G. Sandom
www.jgsandom.com

[cmdragns]

07:02 PM on 02/01/2012

I've cried each time I've watched this so far. It's beautiful

[ZeFrenchy]

09:20 AM on 01/31/2012

1- Mr Morris Lessmore ( More is Less More ) lives in New Orleans.
2- The tornado is reminiscent of hurricane Katrina and The Wizard of Oz.
3- The French words covering his pillow case as well as the words from the Old Book come
from Jules Verne's "Autour de la Lune" (Around the Moon).

[Valravn]

11:31 PM on 01/30/2012

That was so beautiful... There is nothing quite like a book.

[ifquilt]

11:29 PM on 01/30/2012

That was cool. I'm showing it to my students, who won't read!

[brooklyncitizen]

10:55 PM on 01/30/2012

Lovely.
I will never use ebooks. I don't care how heavy and cumbersome it is to carry books.

[LiberalBuzz]

10:41 PM on 01/30/2012

Very nice. I can see how it won so many awards. I saw a bit more than Buster Keaton, with some Charlie Chaplan and Harold Llyod thrown in as well. The great allegory that literature brightens up your life is absolutely the best. I cannot imagine how my life would be without the thousands of books I have read being it it. From Dick and Jane, to Science Fiction, to Mystery, to historical novels to history and well just everything.

Your life is all the better for the love of books. I have a Nook Book but I still love to buy books, there is something about holding a book and reading that is wonderful.

[Mark Sylvester]

10:06 PM on 01/30/2012

Love this nominated, animated short - take 15 min and treat yourself

[mozartmaid2]

07:00 PM on 01/30/2012

Beautiful! I'll even admit I had tears in my eyes at the end. There truly is something special about books that ebooks will never be able to replace...