A pygmy hippo runs for president and ruins a marriage. College professors, man.
An obsessive professor experiences a series of tragic events and recounts a tale of a presidential hippo.
Writing
Narrative structure that lies to your face then breaks your heart.
Acting
Trey Guinn's unraveling professor voice work is genuinely devastating.
Direction
Jack Saxon weaponizes cute animation against your emotions.
Director
Jack Saxon
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The film uses the visual language of children's animation to smuggle in adult grief, similar to how Pixar handles loss—but with zero sentimentality and maximum discomfort.
The 'Billy 2020' campaign merchandise briefly became a real thing after festival screenings, with viewers genuinely wanting to vote for the hippo. The director called it 'concerning.'
US
