Two Ships
In this hand-drawn poem inspired by the filmmakers’ own experience, TWO SHIPS follows a couple working opposite schedules as they attempt to maintain their connection through fleeting encounters. A deeply personal story about love, the longing for connection, and the quiet moments that shape our relationships. Longlisted for the 98th Academy Awards®. Shortlisted for the 2026 Sony Future Filmmaker Awards. Director: McKinley Benson Writers: McKinley & Mackenzie Benson Producers: Bruno Caetano, Mackenzie Benson Executive Producer: Jodi Benson Animation Director: Ala Nunu Animation Lead: Olga Branska Animators: Ana Iutes, Ala Nunu, Bofan Liu Coloring: Jakub Kaczmarek, David Mateus Art Director: Priya Kakati Background Designer: Leah Chun Layouts: Priya Kakati Compositor: Luis Soares Music: Zach Pelham & Mason Palanti Sound Design: Jeremy Ben Ammar Editor: McKinley Benson Production: COLA Animation, Room 330 Distribution: Selected Films 90+ festival selections and 20+ awards including: Best Story — Animayo (Spain) Director’s Choice Award — Thomas Edison Film Festival (USA) Best Animated Film — European Short Film Festival of Bordeaux (France) Best Short Film — LusOFest (Germany) Best International Short Film — Quito International Film Festival (Ecuador) Best Animated Film — Reedy Reels Film Festival (USA) Best Director — Via dei Corti (Italy) Best Screenplay — Almeria International Film Festival (Spain) Audience Award — Animation Nights New York (USA) Audience Award — Charlotte Film Festival (USA) Made by humans, about humans, and for humans. From the U.S. and Portugal, with love.
