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Banana Tree

In this magical world, a peculiarly sentient banana plant is threatened by a fast-moving epidemic. Will a solitary farmer enlist the help he needs in time to save the bananas?

  • Scott Kane
    Director
  • Scott Kane
    Writer
  • Scott Kane
    Producer
  • Adam Swimmer
    Producer
  • Scott Kane
    Key Cast
    "Banana Tree"
  • Adam Swimmer
    Key Cast
    "Leon"
  • Adam Swimmer
    Key Cast
    "Alex"
  • Dakota Jones
    Key Cast
    "Tricia"
  • Dakota Jones
    Key Cast
    "Surprise Banana Tree"
  • Scott Kane
    Animation
  • Scott Kane
    Score
  • Scott Kane
    Poster
  • Scott Kane
    Trailer
  • Scott Kane
    Editing
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Short
  • Genres:
    Comedy, Drama, Environmental
  • Runtime:
    16 minutes 46 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 1, 2023
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada, United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • The Comedy Film Festival
    Austin, Texas
    United States
    April 5, 2024
    Texas Premiere
    Best Animated Short Film
  • A Pecan Pickling Short Film Festival
    Windsor, North Carolina
    United States
    September 9, 2023
    North American Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Anti-War International Independent Film Festival
    Jõhvi, Ida-Virumaa
    Estonia
    August 20, 2023
    Official Selection
  • 8th Film Olympiad Grand Prix

    Nominee - Best Animation
  • Luis Bunuel Memorial Awards

    Winner - Best Animated Film, Best Film Score - Soundtrack, Best Film On Nature / Environment / Wildlife
  • Ridgewood International Film Festival
    Ridgewood, New Jersey
    United States
    April 25, 2024
    New Jersey Premiere
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Scott Kane

Scott Kane is a Multi-hyphenate and creator of BANANA TREE.
Wrote, Animated, Scored, Directed, Co-Produced,
Edited, and Voiced the role of the sentient Banana
Tree
First Year Graduate Student, MA Comedy Writing
program, Falmouth University
MicroMasters in Writing for Performance and the
Entertainment Industries from Cambridge
University in 2022. During his studies, he began
collaborating with Adam Swimmer - the Co-Producer of
BANANA TREE.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

BANANA TREE, told in a short animated dramatic comedy form, is ultimately a cautionary tale of one plant’s vulnerability to a spreading TR4 Panama disease epidemic. In a remote field, an idealistic farmer contends with the practical questions posed by his only human friend, as he resists the temptation to quit. However, his ties to another companion, a favorite Banana Tree, pull him back again and again.

Panama disease is disastrous - because Cavendish bananas were created long ago to be identical genetically. In a way they are all clones so none are resistant. The variety was easy to grow inexpensively and is one of the most significant global crops. I hope viewers will consider some philosophical questions related to sustaining their food sources and the environment.

I was motivated to make this film from my experiences during an agricultural epidemic in my region. When I was a biology student participating in Intel Science competitions, my mentors were scientists working to stop the spread of a disastrous disease killing orange groves in my region. I observed the financial losses and emotional turmoil faced by farmers and their communities. When I learned of the TR4 Panama disease currently decimating Cavendish bananas, I felt compelled to communicate this serious story in an entertaining, understandable, for-all-ages, format.