"Every story matters"

Neon Zoo is the independent film studio of award-winning director & producer Elyse Kelly. From intimate narratives to global conversations, they bring untold, unexpected, and sometimes taboo stories to life. Because every story matters. Partnering with socially conscious brands, NGOs, nonprofits, and cultural institutions, they use storytelling to create meaningful impact.

They like to use animation because, animation is the best way to tell a story. It can be playful or profound, nostalgic or cutting-edge — or everything all at once — and that range is exactly what makes it so special. It’s limitless.

Their work, recognized by Sundance, Tribeca, and The Webby’s, among others, includes collaborations with Netflix, Starz, The New Yorker, the ACLU, and the United Nations Foundation.


Studio Projects:

I Had Nothing:
To protect the woman she loves, V is forced to flee her homeland of Congo. She embarks on the dangerous journey to the U.S., only to be cruelly stripped of the few belongings that she carries. V’s story is just one of many. When immigration officials from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) apprehend migrants exercising their right to seek refuge, they often trash their belongings or confiscate and fail to return them. Finding safety shouldn’t come at the cost of losing everything. For this project, the ACLU wanted to ignite outrage around the issue of property confiscation at the border and initially envisioned an explainer video. Neon Zoo guided them toward a first-person documentary storytelling approach. By connecting with a real person and her experience, they can give a face to the statistics and headlines.

Meow Wolf- The Forgotten Four:
Just beneath the surface of Convergence Station lies a cosmic mystery—one of four forgotten women and a gateway to the infinite. The Forgotten Four is a six-episode animated series created for Meow Wolf's Convergence Station, an immersive experience in Denver, CO. Through bold animation and otherworldly storytelling, the series deepens the lore of Convergence Station, inviting guests to uncover its secrets. The team of over 50 talented creatives, from art directors to animators and editors, came together to create six films set in four unique worlds that mirror the immersive locations in Denver.

The Atlantic- Speach Wars:
This three-part series delves into the intersection of technology and the First Amendment, exploring critical topics like deepfakes, online rights, and the role of social media companies as gatekeepers of free speech. Each episode dives into the impact of technology on our understanding of free expression and the challenges that come with misinformation in the digital age.

Learn More about The Studio Website