Be happy

In a whimsical, bizarre world, a lonely creature attempts to foster happiness by collecting 'happy' things. However, its efforts lead to increasingly absurd and unsettling situations, highlighting the complex and often elusive nature of genuine joy. The short explores themes of manufactured happiness and the often misguided pursuit of contentment through external means.

Mikey Please's "Be Happy" is a critically acclaimed short film, lauded for its unique visual style, dark humor, and thought-provoking commentary on happiness. It has been recognized for its originality and artistic merit, earning praise from animation festivals and critics alike.

• Praised for its distinctive and unsettling stop-motion animation.
• Commended for its darkly humorous and philosophical exploration of happiness.
• Recognized for its creative and memorable character design.

Google audience: Audience reception for "Be Happy" is primarily found within festival circuits and animation enthusiast communities. General Google user reviews are not widely aggregated, but those available often highlight the film's surreal nature and artistic ambition.

Winner of Best Short Film at the Ottawa International Animation Festival (2018), Winner of the Grand Prix at the Hiroshima International Animation Festival (2018).

The intricate stop-motion sets and characters for 'Be Happy' were meticulously crafted by Mikey Please and his small team over several years, with a significant portion of the process involving painstaking attention to detail and texture.