Nona (2021)

Nona is special because it finds big, tender truth in a tiny domestic moment, then punches it up with the gleeful exaggeration only animation can pull off. In just a few minutes it captures the push-and-pull of family love—how devotion can look like annoyance before it becomes understanding—while wrapping everything in the boisterous, candy-colored vibe of pro-wrestling theatrics. There’s real sweetness in how it honors memory and grief without ever turning heavy, letting laughter and affection do the healing. If you’ve ever felt torn between the comfort of your routines and the demands of someone you adore, this short hits like a warm hug with a playful body slam.

Nona is trying to deliver a warm, relatable snapshot about grief, generational bonding, and the small frustrations that come with unexpected childcare, all wrapped in bright Pixar-style animation. It’s sweet and sincere, but it’s also very slight—more of a quick emotional beat than a fully developed story—so if you want big laughs, a complex plot, or deep character exploration, this will feel like a snack instead of a meal. The central conflict is basically “grandma just wants her show,” which can read as repetitive until the short finally pivots to its more heartfelt point. Still, the payoff is tender and visually playful, and if you’re in the mood for a gentle, family-friendly short about finding connection in the middle of annoyance, it does its job without overstaying its welcome.