Pola Maneli's 'Apart' qualifies for 2027 Oscars with SIGGRAPH win
The Spike Lee-written animated short won Best in Show at SIGGRAPH 2026, earning a place among 2027 Oscar-qualified shorts.
Pola Maneli's animated short 'Apart' has qualified for the 2027 Oscars after winning Best in Show at SIGGRAPH 2026, according to Cartoon Brew.
The film was written by Spike Lee, Tim Jones, Jeff Leisawitz and Lubabalo Mtati, and was made in association with Taking Over NY and 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks. Colossal is listed as the animation production company.
Set in apartheid South Africa, 'Apart' follows a forbidden friendship between two boys. The short features music supervision by Black Coffee and wardrobe design by Laduma Ngxokolo.
Cartoon Brew featured the short as part of its series spotlighting animated shorts that have qualified for the 2027 Oscars.
Quick answers
What is 'Apart' about?
The animated short is set in apartheid South Africa and follows a forbidden friendship between two boys.
How did 'Apart' qualify for the 2027 Oscars?
It qualified by winning Best in Show at SIGGRAPH 2026.
Who wrote 'Apart'?
The short was written by Spike Lee, Tim Jones, Jeff Leisawitz and Lubabalo Mtati.