A Short Documentary About A Giant Pencil is a 2026 American short documentary film directed by Daniel Straub. The documentary tells the story of the Loti Pencil sculpture in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It had its world premiere on February 10, 2026, at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in Ultra Pencilvision, a certification that was developed exclusively for this film.
The film won Best Documentary Short at the 41st Santa Barbara International Film Festival on February 14, 2026, which qualified the film for the 99th Academy Awards.
Summary The subject of the documentary is the Loti Pencil sculpture's creation, and the yearly sharpening ceremonies held on the first Saturday of June.
Release A Short Documentary About A Giant Pencil premiered at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival on February 10, 2026. The film was also an official selection of the 2026 Minneapolis Saint Paul International Film Festival, where it played to a sold-out crowd at the Walker Art Center as well as a sold-out festival screening. The documentary was selected for the RiverRun International Film Festival, the Nantucket Film Festival, the Berkshire International Film Festival, Mendocino Film Festival, Indy Shorts, and Hollyshorts.
Reception Aaron "Dobler" Goldstein for Spoiler Free Reviews called the film "a 'sharpened' showcase of what happens when art connects and gives people a sense of community".
Brandon MacMurray listed A Short Documentary About A Giant Pencil on ShortStickFilm's Early Short Film Contenders for the 99th Academy Awards.
Accolades Festival/Organisation Date Award/Category Recipient Result Santa Barbara International Film Festival February 14, 2026 Best Short Documentary A Short Documentary About A Giant Pencil Nantucket Film Festival February 14, 2026 Audience Award - Runner Up
References
External links
A Short Documentary About A Giant Pencil official Instagram account