Episodes | Episode 01:

"Lil Red is Riding the Wrong Way in the Hood"

Synopsis

"Lil Red is Riding the Wrong Way in the Hood" is a Hip Hop twist on a classic cautionary tale. An adventurous little boy gets lost in an urban jungle, runs into a "wolf in sheep's clothing," and a battle of wits begins. Childhood labor and public safety may sound like heavy topics, but this short film manages to make the subject matter approachable.

This short is not just an entertaining animated film set to a hip-hop beat; it's a conversation starter for all ages. It allows us a chance to reflect on who to trust, when, and how to stay safe in an increasingly complex and unpredictable world.

Topics Covered

  • Trust and Boundaries

  • Child Labor

  • Secret Codes and Signals for Families

Duration

~7.5 minutes

Watch on YouTube

Reviews

“Deeply moved! It’s an engaging conversation starter
for both students and adults alike!”

Julienne Lee, Ed.D., Superintendent, Buena Park (CA) School District

“Getting any film to be entertaining and educational is a challenge! It’s not every day you see an independent film… flawlessly done!”

Andie Karvelis, Film Critic

“Fun to watch… Took me back to many of my favorite
childhood stories!”

Alisa Murray, Film Critic

“My child got the well-made message. This is a must see!”

Jerry Frutos, Educator and School Board Member

Awards

"Lil Red is Riding the Wrong Way in the Hood" received numerous awards, including:

Cast and Crew

Writer | Director | Producer | Narrator

Venus Jones is saved by grace and a servant leader living on principle, as a multi-gifted talent with over 20 years of classroom and stage experience. She’s cultivating courageous conversations through her films, poetic keynotes, and counsel for compassionate leaders who are braving a new world. She’s a creative director for anyone ready to increase trust, empathy, and self-awareness through the arts. Visit venusjones.com for more information on how to support past, present, and future initiatives at the intersection of art and activism.

Animator | Illustrator

Mutai Emmanuel lives in Nairobi, Kenya and began his career in animation in 2016. Whether it’s sparking emotions through animation, elevating characters with seamless rigging, or reflecting a brand’s essence through design, his versatility and his passion for project management gives him a creative edge. He has experience as a Toon Boom Rigging Artist with major studios, and a history of collaboration with talented artists and business owners all over the world, who are interested in creating impactful and engaging projects. Learn more about the animator at mutzzcreative.com.

Additional Credited Animators include: Stanley Munyiri and Ian Ngaruiya Mburu

Music Producer

Malcolm Lee is a producer, engineer, DJ, MC, social activist and teaching artist in San Jose, California. He’s been a board operator and sound engineer for 90.5 KSJS, YG Studios and Silicon Valley Debug, where he worked as an audio journalist for documentaries and news shorts. malcolm-lee.tumblr.com/bio

Additional Credited Sound Engineering provided by Tim Abbott.