Interview With "Retirement Plan" Director John Kelly

The Next Best Picture Podcast · Mar 5, 2026 · 27m

"Retirement Plan" is a 2024 Irish animated short film directed by John Kelly and co-written by John Kelly and Tara Lawall. It is Kelly's debut film. The 7-minute animated film about the fantasies of a middle-aged man has received positive reviews and been awarded at various international film festivals, including Palm Springs International ShortFest and SXSW. The film's style, described as expressively understated, subdued, and stripped back, was animated using MoHo animation software. It has been nominated for Best Animated Short Film at the 98th Academy Awards. Kelly was kind enough to…