Motion Pictures: A Moving Animated Student Film

Motion Pictures is a beautiful student-animated short film that explores the journey of one man’s battle with cancer.

I started watching Motion Pictures because Vimeo told me to; I finished watching it because it was an extraordinarily touching film. This short, animated feature follows a young action movie fan who suddenly learns he is battling cancer.

The short, which began as a student film, is surprisingly poignant and joyful all at the same time. The journey of the young man appears to cover all the bases: defeat, sadness, isolation… but also friendship, strength, and love. It encompasses all sides but leaves the viewer, and the main character, with a strong sense of hope.

It is well worth 10 minutes of your time to watch Motion Pictures by Matthew Incontri.

A boys love of action movies becomes his only outlet after facing a far more difficult battle in reality.

Matthew Incontri: My thesis film at Massachusetts College of Art and Design that proved to be too large in scale to complete in just one year. Movies have always been an escape from reality, but sometimes they are a window into an experience scarier than fiction. The short animated film “Motion Pictures” explores the harsh reality of cancer and its effects physically and emotionally. Cancer is one obstacle that seems unsurmountable, but with a creative spirit, it is only fuel to create something bigger than yourself.

Director/Animator: Matthew Incontri

Music Composer: Duncan Johnson

Sound Designer: Dillon Cahill

Mentor: Steve Subotnick