WAR IS OVER! Inspired by the Music of John and Yoko (C) 2023

The animated short film War Is Over! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko, which won the 2024 Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film, is a poignant anti-war story inspired by John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s classic holiday song “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)”.
Directed by Dave Mullins, who previously worked at Pixar, and co-written with Sean Ono Lennon, the 11-minute film is set in an alternate reality of World War I, where two soldiers on opposing sides play a game of chess through carrier pigeons, unaware of each other’s identities.
The film was produced by Brad Booker and ElectroLeague, with visual effects created by Peter Jackson’s Wētā FX using Epic Games’ Unreal Engine, resulting in a distinctive blend of 3D animation enhanced by 2D flourishes.
The score was composed by Thomas Newman, known for his work on Pixar films.

The film received critical acclaim, winning the Annie Award for Best Animated Short Subject in 2024 and earning a nomination for the HPA Award for Outstanding Color Grading.
It premiered at the 2024 Flickerfest International Film Festival and was recognized for its timely message amid ongoing global conflicts.
The Oscar win was celebrated by director Dave Mullins and producer Brad Booker, with Sean Ono Lennon joining them on stage to honor his mother, Yoko Ono, during the ceremony.
The film’s emotional resonance has been highlighted by critics, with some praising its heartfelt sincerity despite its overtly sentimental ending.
It will premiere on John Lennon’s official YouTube channel on December 6, 2025, at 1 p.m. ET, accompanied by a donation link for the charity War Child.