Private Project

Pokey Pokey

A father attempts to figure out the best way to protect his son from seeing filthiness of the crime-ridden city, discussing the over-protection phenomenon to children and related social issues.

  • Junjie "Jake" Zhang
    Director
  • Junjie "Jake" Zhang
    Writer
  • Zhen Zeng
    Producer
  • Pantawit Kiangsiri
    Music Composer
  • Katie Gately
    Sound Designer
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Dark Humor, Horror
  • Runtime:
    7 minutes 12 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 10, 2016
  • Production Budget:
    5,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    China, United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes
  • Adobe Design and Achievement Award 2015
    Los Angeles
    Storytelling Designation Winner
  • The Vision Feast 2015

    The Best 2D Project
  • 59th CINE Golden Eagle Award

    United States
    Finalist of Student & Youth Media
  • Athens Animation Festival 2016
    Athens
    Greece
    April 19, 2016
    Distinction Award
  • USC First Look Film Festival 2016
    Los Angeles
    United States
    Nomination of Best Animation
  • KLIK! Amsterdam Animation Festival 2015
    Amsterdam
    Netherlands
    Official Selection in "Political Animation Category"
Distribution Information
  • University of Southern California
    Country: United States
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Junjie "Jake" Zhang

Junjie “Jake” Zhang is an independent animation artist, illustrator and educator living in LA and Hong Kong. He likes to explore and develop different visual styles to express his artistic opinions and stories. Most of his films are black-humorous, ironic and fantastic, reflecting social and political issues indirectly. Jake Zhang holds a BA in Digital Media from China Central Academy of Fine Arts and a MFA in Animation and Digital Arts from University of Southern California. His films have been awarded and selected in festivals all over the world, including
Domination in 58th CINE Golden Eagle Award (2015), the Best 2D project in The Vision Feast (2016), Storytelling Designation Winner in Adobe Design and Achievement Award (2015), Distinction Award in Athens Animation Festival (2016), Winner in Animaze Animation Day in Cannes Film Festival (2016), Official Selection in KLIK! Amsterdam Animation Festival (2015), Corfu Animation Festival (2015), Cutout Fest International Animation and Digital Art Festival (2015), Animasyros International Animation Festival (2015) and Melbourne International Animation Festival (2014). Currently, Jake lives in Hong Kong, where he is a professor of animation at Savannah College of Art and Design, Hong Kong.

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Director Statement

A father starts a journey to figure out the best way to protect his son from seeing filthiness of this crime-ridden city.

Pokey Pokey is a short animated film that discusses the arising trend of over-protecting children. When it comes to protecting children's innocence, how far will human go? Since children will eventually grow into adults, and every society will always has its light and shadow, is 'shield kids away from sex and violence' really about protecting children's innocence? Or is it about the fear of children growing up?