USA 2021
Duration: 05:15
Directed by: Erin Donahue
Animation: Erin Donahue, Alexandria Rivero, Sam Coulter, Nicole Duerr, Yuanshiyu Gao, Noah Heilveil, Nicole Keefe, Jing Lyu, Ryan Marsden, Tashi Sherpa, Rongchen Ye
Technique: 3D computer animation
Music: Miles Kredich
Production/School: Savannah College of Art and Design
Dialogue language: English

Heartstrings is a short 3D-animated drama that tells the story of Ailidh, a young Irish woman who immigrated to New York City in 1910 with little belongings except for her father's old violin. Ailidh comes home from a long day of performing in the streets of Hell's Kitchen with a broken string, discouraged, and soaked with rain. Although she is on the verge of giving up on her new life in the United States, she is surprised to find that by playing her father's violin that she hadn't had the heart to touch since her journey began, she is able to bring him back to her for one final goodbye. Though the encounter with her father is short-lived, it gives Ailidh the encouragement she needs to continue to follow her dreams of becoming a performer and she is left with a newfound confidence that she will be okay in her new life. Heartstrings was written and directed by Erin Donahue at the Savannah College of Art and Design with a talented team of eleven artists with diverse backgrounds and experiences, two sound designers, and a score by Miles Kredich.

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