Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant can add yet another accomplishment to his name, though this one off the court, as his “Dear Basketball” was nominated for best animated short film. The 90th annual Academy Awards are scheduled for Sunday, March 4.
Bryant was the screenwriter and executive producer of the animated short, while Glen Keane was the director and John Williams composed the score. The film is based on the poem Bryant wrote in 2015 to announce his retirement at the end of the 2015-16 season.
When Bryant returned to Staples Center in December for the retirement of his Nos. 8 and 24 jerseys, the halftime ceremony began with “Dear Basketball” being played.
While the five-time champion is a first-time Oscar nominee, Williams further extended his record with a 46th nomination for writing film scores, and 51st overall nomination.
Because Bryant served as the executive producer of the film and not producer, he would not win an Oscar himself. Nonetheless, Bryant deemed winning an award for the film would be more meaningful than any of his accomplishments during a storied 20-year career with the Lakers.
What?? This is beyond the realm of imagination. It means so much that the @TheAcademy deemed #DearBasketball worthy of contention. Thanks to the genius of @GlenKeanePrd & John Williams for taking my poem to this level. It's an honor to be on this team. #OscarNoms pic.twitter.com/M2joyk9D1V
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) January 23, 2018
Complete field of Oscar-nominated animated short titles:
“Dear Basketball,” Glen Keane, director, and Kobe Bryant, writer (Glen Keane Productions)
“Garden Party,” Victor Caire and Gabriel Grapperon, directors (MOPA)
“Lou,” Dave Mullins, director, and Dana Murray, producer (Pixar Animation Studios)
“Negative Space,” Max Porter and Ru Kuwahata, directors (Ikki Films)
“Revolting Rhymes,” Jakob Schuh and Jan Lachauer, directors (Magic Light Pictures)
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