Prepare to have your heartstrings tugged.
Children’s entertainment has made some modest strides in breaking free of outdated gender roles, but there’s still a huge void in queer representation aimed at a family-friendly crowd.
A new animated film is setting out to change that, causing hearts to melt across the web.
In A Heartbeat was created by Beth David and Esteban Bravo, two animation students at the Ringling College of Art and Design in Florida. It tells the story of a closeted boy who “runs the risk of being outed by his own heart after it pops out of his chest to chase down the boy of his dreams.”
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Two months ago, the trailer instantly went viral, racking up millions of views.
And now, the entire 4-minute short is here to brighten and heighten your day.
Watch:
charlie_jackpot
It’s a cute video, but….
Pairings like this just don’t happen, The jock or handsome guy never goes for the nerd. Even with all the singing going on the most implausible thing I found about Glee was that Blaine went with Kurt.
It just sets us plain boys/nerds/camp guys up for failure
Aaron
The boy with his head in a book at school is hardly a “jock”. There was nothing to suggest one had more social status than the other. Lots of projection going on there.
ProfessorMoriarty
Seriously. I’m as nerdy as they come, and I’ve been with my high school jock dream guy 18 years in October.
This was lovely and sweet and brought a tear to me eye. Wonderful!
sg2849a
To the critics that say this animated short is too fanciful in it’s portrayal of new love, all I have to say is shame on you. Sometimes it takes the courage of one person to show their true feelings in order to ignite the spark of romance, otherwise one may never know if the other party shares those feelings. Also, saying that the “cool, confident jock” could never really fall for the “nerdy type” completely disregards the trepidation and insecurity of expressing one’s true feelings. “Cool, confident” can be a guise for insecurity and vulnerability. So only after learning that he, the “cool, confident jock” is liked by the “nerd” is when he realizes that he is not the only one that shares these feelings. Thus the spark of romance. And for the record, I don’t consider the brunette in this story a “jock,” but rather a handsome, studious (note the book he’s carrying), young man. One love. Love is love is love is love.
startenout
Umm, so many problems in this post. 1. Neither guy is depicted as a honk or a need in this video. Just a boy with a crush on a boy reading a book. 2. Neither character on Glee was a jock. 3. Your experience doesn’t really play as the rule here since I was a nerd and choir kid and have had my fair share of former jocks both gay and straight(ish.)
Fagotus Maximus
I had the class hot, dumb blond jock go for campy me in the 7th grade, because I “made him laugh.” He sat behind me in some class and I’d always joke with him (flirt? which neither of us recognized) and he’d laugh. Then one day he asked if I wanted to sleep over that Friday! We played video games, then I was up all night not able to sleep, nervous and looking over at him sleep in just his boxers. Nothing of course happened.
I agree though something like that’s not going to happen in High School or later.
Smith David
This makes me miss the innocence of my own youth. It’s sweet.
mrmeowmeow
So sweet — Can we get a sequel they grow up and become assholes with no fats no fems in the headlines of their Grindr profiles?
Jack Meoff
This is very sweet until they grow up and hit the gay scene and suddenly decide they want an open relationship. Jaded view I know but not unrealistic in the current climate.
Lvng1Tor
and yet my partner of 15 years have a wonderful romance still and an open relationship. It’s all about honesty and the relationship first.
Luvstoread
Such a sweet video! I want to see more after the sweet moment under the tree now. If you haven’t seen Handsome Devil, highly recommend. Kind of reminds me a little bit of that movie.
moose6969
Very cute video
oaksong
@charlie_jackpot there are plenty of nerds who will tell you otherwise.
Herman75
My niece went to Ringling. In Florida no less!
startenout
That. Was. The. Cutest!
silveroracle
Such a beautiful video.
MacieLynch
I love this movie everyone should have to watch this with your kids at least one time