Chris Shepherd’s groundbreaking Bafta-nominated short film gets a sequel

We have just picture locked on Johnno’s Dead, a sequel to animation director Chris Shepherd‘s multi-award winning short film Dad’s Dead (2002).

In this sinister yet darkly comic follow-up set 12 years after the original events, the nameless protagonist is finally released from prison after serving a sentence for a crime he didn’t commit. However, in spite of finally gaining freedom, the man’s attempts at settling back in the society are marred by the demons of his past, driving him to seek retribution.

The original, Chris Shepherd’s hugely influential Dad’s Dead won over 25 international film awards and received a Bafta-nomination. Its combination of live action and various animation techniques was considered groundbreaking at the time of its release, and the film has since become essential viewing for animation students across the world. In Johnno’s Dead, the old techniques are developed upon and new are introduced, which made the editing process a very involved and exciting part of the film’s construction as layers were constantly added and reimagined.

Recently named as one of the 100 Greatest Animations, Dad’s Dead is now available to watch on Vimeo.