In this hand-drawn poem inspired by the filmmakers’ own experience, Two Ships follows a couple working opposite schedules as they attempt to maintain their connection through fleeting encounters. A deeply personal story about love, the longing for connection, and the quiet moments that shape our relationships.

Longlisted for the 98th Academy Awards®. Shortlisted for the 2026 Sony Future Filmmaker Awards.

Director: McKinley Benson
Writers: McKinley & Mackenzie Benson
Producers: Bruno Caetano, Mackenzie Benson
Executive Producer: Jodi Benson
Animation Director: Ala Nunu
Animation Lead: Olga Brańska
Animators: Ana Iutes, Ala Nunu, Bofan Liu
Coloring: Jakub Kaczmarek, David Mateus
Art Director: Priya Kakati
Background Designer: Leah Chun
Layouts: Priya Kakati
Compositor: Luís Soares
Music: Zach Pelham & Mason Palanti
Sound Design: Jérémy Ben Ammar
Editor: McKinley Benson
Production: COLA Animation, Room 330
Distribution: Selected Films

90+ festival selections and 20+ awards including:

Best Story — Animayo (Spain)
Director’s Choice Award — Thomas Edison Film Festival (USA)
Best Animated Film — European Short Film Festival of Bordeaux (France)
Best Short Film — LusOFest (Germany)
Best International Short Film — Quito International Film Festival (Ecuador)
Best Animated Film — Reedy Reels Film Festival (USA)
Best Director — Via dei Corti (Italy)
Best Screenplay — Almeria International Film Festival (Spain)
Audience Award — Animation Nights New York (USA)
Audience Award — Charlotte Film Festival (USA)

Made by humans, about humans, and for humans. From the U.S. and Portugal, with love.