A Short Documentary About a Giant Pencil
| A Short Documentary About A Giant Pencil | |
|---|---|
 Official poster | |
| Directed by | |
| Produced by |
|
| Cinematography | Austin Straub |
| Edited by | Austin Straub |
| Music by |
|
Release date |
|
Running time | 22 minutes |
| Country |
|
| Language | English |
A Short Documentary About A Giant Pencil is a 2026 American short documentary film directed by Daniel Straub. The documentary tells the story of the Loti Pencil sculpture in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It had its world premiere on February 10, 2026, at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival[1] in Ultra Pencilvision,[2] a certification that was developed exclusively for this film.[3]
The film won Best Documentary Short at the 41st Santa Barbara International Film Festival on February 14, 2026,[4] which qualified the film for the 99th Academy Awards.[5]
Summary
The subject of the documentary is the Loti Pencil sculpture's creation, and the yearly sharpening ceremonies held on the first Saturday of June. [6]
Release
A Short Documentary About A Giant Pencil premiered at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival on February 10, 2026.[1] The film was also an official selection of the 2026 Minneapolis Saint Paul International Film Festival,[7] where it played to a sold-out crowd at the Walker Art Center as well as a sold-out festival screening.[8] The documentary was selected for the RiverRun International Film Festival,[9] the Nantucket Film Festival,[10] the Berkshire International Film Festival,[11] Mendocino Film Festival, Indy Shorts, and Hollyshorts.
Reception
Aaron "Dobler" Goldstein for Spoiler Free Reviews called the film "a 'sharpened' showcase of what happens when art connects and gives people a sense of community".[12]
Brandon MacMurray listed A Short Documentary About A Giant Pencil on ShortStickFilm's Early Short Film Contenders for the 99th Academy Awards.[13]
Accolades
| Festival/Organisation | Date | Award/Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Barbara International Film Festival | February 14, 2026 | Best Short Documentary | A Short Documentary About A Giant Pencil | Won | [4] |
| Nantucket Film Festival | February 14, 2026 | Audience Award - Runner Up | Won | [14] | |
References
- 1 2 "2026 Pocket Guide" (PDF). SBIFF. February 10, 2026. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
- ↑ "Presented Exclusively in Ultra Pencilvison". Instagram. January 16, 2026. Retrieved July 24, 2026.
- ↑ "ULTRA PENCILVISION Official Site". Retrieved July 26, 2026.
- 1 2 Garner, Glen (February 14, 2026). "Santa Barbara Film Festival Winners: 'Steal This Story, Please' Takes Audience Choice Award – Full List". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
- ↑ "99 th ACADEMY AWARDS QUALIFYING FESTIVAL LIST" (PDF). Oscars.org. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
- ↑ "loti pencil - it's the big pencil on lake of the isles in Minneapolis". Retrieved February 15, 2026.
- ↑ "MSPIFF45 FILM LINEUP ANNOUNCED!". Retrieved March 11, 2026.
- ↑ "Minneapolis' 20-foot-tall Pencil stars in short documentary at MSPIFF". Star Tribune. April 14, 2026. Retrieved April 14, 2026.
- ↑ "RiverRun International Film Festival 2026 Calendar". Retrieved March 19, 2026.
- ↑ "Nantucket Film Festival to Open With Olivia Wilde's 'The Invite' and Close With Special Presentation of 'The Five Star Weekend'". The Hollywood Reporter. April 22, 2026. Retrieved April 24, 2026.
- ↑ "Berkshire Film Festival Lineup Revealed: Billie Jean King Doc 'Give Me the Ball!,' Karen Allen Tribute, and 75 Movies". April 23, 2026. Retrieved April 24, 2026.
- ↑ Goldstein, Aaron (February 10, 2026). "A SHORT DOCUMENTARY ABOUT A GIANT PENCIL". Spoiler Free Reviews. Retrieved February 15, 2025.
- ↑ "Early Short Film Contenders for the 99th Academy Awards". ShortStickFilms. July 9, 2026. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
- ↑ Moye, Clarence (June 24, 2026). "Nantucket Film Festival Announces Winners for 31st Edition". The Contending. Retrieved July 16, 2026.