Chicago’s Oscar winner Matthew A. Cherry to launch HBO Max show based on ‘Hair Love’

The animated series ‘Young Love’ looks into the lives of the family introduced in his short film.

SHARE Chicago’s Oscar winner Matthew A. Cherry to launch HBO Max show based on ‘Hair Love’
merlin_89754527.jpg

“Hair Love,” by Chicagoan Matthew A. Cherry, won the Oscar for best animated short film on Feb. 9, 2020.

Sony Pictures Animation

Academy Award-winning short film “Hair Love” is going from the big screen to the small screen — well, sort of. 

HBO Max has ordered a 12-episode season of “Young Love,” an animated series that looks into the lives of the Young family — Stephen and Angela, daughter Zuri and pet cat Rocky — introduced in the Academy Award-winning short film “Hair Love” by filmmaker and Northwest Side native Matthew A. Cherry

The show plans to discuss topics such as parenthood, social issues, careers and marriage. 

“I am beyond excited to continue telling the story of Stephen, Angela and Zuri and further explore the family dynamics of a young Black millennial family we established in our short film ‘Hair Love’ as an animated series,” said Cherry in a statement. “Couldn’t ask for better partners in Sony Pictures Animation and HBO Max in helping us get ‘Young Love’ out to the world.”

“Hair Love,” which won the Oscar for best animated short film earlier this year, is about an African American father who attempts to do his daughter’s hair for the first time; the short film debuted in 2019 when it was shown in theaters with “The Angry Birds Movie 2.”

The Latest
The suspect’s son witnessed the shooting of at least five relatives, according to Joliet police reports obtained through a public records request. The reports also indicate the boy’s mother was more deeply involved in the case than first thought.
Counsell is measured and stoic, more so than Joe Maddon or David Ross. After Justin Steele’s Opening Day injury, Counsell will put his head down, pace and figure it out.
The Cubs opened the season against the reigning World Series champions in Texas.