The Orphan’s Piano
A boy, his piano, and a historical, queer love story that tugs on the heartstrings. Presented in the style of a retro Pixar short.
Logline: A lonely orphan boy copes in an orphanage by playing a piano; when he leaves, they must part, but years later, they are reunited in surprising circumstances.
the Proof of concept
Enjoy this short preview clip of “The Orphan’s Piano.”
The synopsis
The Orphan’s Piano follows Jack, a shy and musically gifted boy growing up in a bleak orphanage, where his only source of comfort is an old upright piano named Allegro. Despite his talent, Jack is repeatedly overlooked for adoption, enduring loneliness and bullying as he watches other children find families. Over the years, he forms a quiet, emotional bond with the piano, which becomes a symbol of both his isolation and his voice.
When Jack ages out of the orphanage, he leaves behind both his childhood and Allegro. The piano is later purchased by an aging piano teacher, who uses it to inspire generations of students until his passing. Years later, at the teacher’s wake, Jack reappears—now an accomplished pianist—reunited with Allegro.
Through music, Jack connects with the teacher’s grieving son, and together they form an unexpected bond. In the end, Jack finds the family he longed for—not through adoption, but through shared loss, music, and human connection.
The story behind the story
A picture book manuscript. a short screenplay. and now, we’re bringing it to life as an animated short film, in partnership with Eat Rice Studio.
Interested in helping to produce the film? We’d be happy to share the treatment deck and script. Reach out to us on IG.