Jared & Jerusha Hess’ Death-Row Drama Ninety-Five Senses is Oscar® Nominated

“Ninety-Five Senses” is officially Oscar-Nominated for Best Animated Short Film

Los Angeles, CA (February, 1, 2024). JARED and JERUSHA HESS, the husband-and-wife filmmaking duo behind such deadpan comedies as NAPOLEON DYNAMITE and NACHO LIBRE. They have been nominated for a 2024 Academy®-Award with NINETY-FIVE SENSES—a touching animated short starring TIM BLAKE NELSON. After winning the Grand Jury Award for Best Animated Short at the Oscar-qualifying Florida Film Festival. NINETY-FIVE SENSES earned its consideration and now nomination for the 2024 Academy Awards.

The project marks two significant firsts for the Hesses. NINETY-FIVE SENSES is their first foray into short-form animation. As well as their first work of dramatic fiction in an otherwise playful oeuvre. In a mere 13 minutes, this surprisingly complex story explores several weighty themes, including parental neglect, disability, and the afterlife. 

TIM BLAKE NELSON is beloved by audiences for his roles in the Coen brothers’ rustic satires. He played Delmar in O BROTHER WHERE ART THOU?. And the title role in THE BALLAD OF BUSTER SCRUGGS) and his recurring turn as The Leader in the MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE. Tim lent his voice to the main character of Coy, a folksy philosopher facing his own mortality. As Coy bids a final farewell to each of his five senses, he reflects on his troubled past and dreams of a vibrant, multisensory afterlife.

The Official Trailer for Ninety-Five Senses

---

JARED and JERUSHA HESS are American filmmakers. They are best known for their work on NAPOLEON DYNAMITE, NACHO LIBRE. Also for GENTLEMEN BRONCOS, all co-written by the pair and directed by Jared. Jerusha made her solo directorial debut in 2013 with the Sundance premiere of AUSTENLAND. The Hesses recently collaborated on the Netflix Original Animation feature THELMA THE UNICORN. Jared is slated to direct Jason Momoa in MINECRAFT for Warner Bros., based on the best-selling video game in history.

TIM BLAKE NELSON is a celebrated actor, playwright and director. His remarkable filmography spans well over 100 screen credits. Including works by legendary filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen, Steven Spielberg, Ang Lee and Terrence Malick. He has appeared onstage in New York at MTC, Playwrights Horizons, and MCC. Also NYTW, Soho Rep, and The Public’s Delacorte Theater in Free Shakespeare in the Park. As a playwright, his works include SOCRATES, ANADARKO, and THE GREY ZONE. EYE OF GOD, the latter two of which he also adapted and directed as feature films. His other film and TV directorial efforts include Lionsgate’s O, a modern retelling of Othello. Millennium’s LEAVES OF GRASS; IFC’s ANESTHESIA; and Amazon’s “Z.” His debut Novel, CITY OF BLOWS was published earlier this year by Unnamed Press. With a paperback version set for early 2024.

NINETY-FIVE SENSES was produced as part of the MAST program of the non-profit Salt Lake Film Society. MAST provides grants, training and mentorship to animators and filmmakers. With a special emphasis on projects that change minds and change the world. Its program includes a fellowship, labs, mentorship, career advocacy, networking, contests, productions and funding.

---

The film’s producers are MILES DAVID ROMNEY and TORI A. BAKER. They are the co-founders of MAST. MILES DAVID ROMNEY, is a veteran Broadway investor. He is also a co-producer on MOULIN ROUGE!; HADESTOWN; LIFE OF PI; THE SIGN IN SIDNEY BRUSTEIN’S WINDOW. TORI A. BAKER is CEO of Salt Lake Film Society and Board VP of The Cinema Foundation.

NINETY-FIVE SENSES  has been nominated for a 2024 Academy® Award.

---

Did this press release inform you? Would you like to comment on the press release? If you do, we would respond. Do let us know your thoughts if you have any suggestions. So hit us up on Facebook, Instagram! or Twitter.