Oscar-winning filmmaker Matthew A. Cherry is once again turning to the power of community to bring his next animated vision to life. The Hair Love creator just launched a brand-new Kickstarter campaign for Time Signature — a 2D animated musical short that mixes magical realism, time travel, and original music to tell a deeply personal story about legacy, creativity, and the love that lives in every melody passed down through generations.
The short centers on Melody, a teenage piano prodigy preparing for the audition of her life. But with creative block setting in and her mother’s lack of support weighing heavily, she retreats to her late grandmother’s attic and finds an old piano — and a piece of sheet music that’s more than just notes on a page. When she plays it, she’s pulled into a series of magical time loops that take her through pivotal musical moments in her family’s past.
“I’m incredibly excited to bring Time Signature to life — a story that means so much to me,” Cherry shared. “It celebrates the richness of Black music and honors the legacy of Black women who’ve carried love, strength, and tradition through generations. At its core, this film is about Black joy, resilience, and the unbreakable bonds of family.”
Cherry made history with Hair Love, which became the most-backed animated short film in Kickstarter history and later won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film. That project led to a bestselling children’s book, a hit animated series (Young Love), and a culturally affirming hair care line in collaboration with Dove. Now, he’s aiming to replicate — and expand — that impact with Time Signature.
The Kickstarter campaign seeks $100,000 to fund the short, which will also act as a proof of concept for a feature-length film. Like Hair Love, Time Signature is being developed independently, giving Cherry full creative control. Stretch goals will allow the team to increase the animation polish, hire top-tier musical collaborators, and expand their voice cast.
Through each time loop — from a disco-drenched prom night in the 1970s to a 1990s classroom where Harmony teaches music with quiet resilience — Melody uncovers the emotional truths that shaped her family and begins to understand not only the roots of her creativity but the power of finishing what others could not.
The animation will reflect the film’s era-spanning structure. Cherry and his team plan to visually distinguish each time period by drawing inspiration from the aesthetics of iconic album covers from the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s — giving each sequence a unique texture and mood.
What makes Time Signature stand out is its unapologetic celebration of Black American music — from gospel and jazz to funk, soul, and hip hop. Where films like Coco, Encanto, and Soul introduced global audiences to culturally specific musical traditions, Cherry’s project aims to shine a similar light on modern Black musical heritage.
“We rarely see animated musicals that highlight Black families and Black music in emotionally rich, magical stories,” Cherry said. “Time Signature is our chance to change that. It’s not about trauma — it’s about joy. Black joy, passed through melody and memory.”
Backers of the campaign can expect a mix of exclusive rewards — from digital downloads of the finished film and behind-the-scenes access to a children’s book adaptation and live Q&As with the creative team.
Ultimately, Cherry is betting on the same force that brought Hair Love to the world: community.
“This isn’t just my story — it’s ours. Time Signature is being built from the ground up with the people. And with your help, I believe we can create something unforgettable.”
The Time Signature Kickstarter is live now.