Sean Lennon Honors Mother on Oscars Night with ‘War Is Over!’ Win

On a night dedicated to celebrating the best in entertainment, Sean Lennon took the opportunity to honor his mother, Yoko Ono, during the Oscars ceremony for winning the Best Animated Short Film award. Sean, the son of music legends John Lennon and Yoko Ono, produced the animated short film ‘War Is Over!’, which was inspired by his parents’ iconic music.

The 11-minute animated film, set in an alternate World War I reality, features two soldiers engaging in a game of chess and is based on John and Yoko’s well-known 1971 single, ‘Happy Xmas (War Is Over)’. The film beautifully encapsulates the anti-war message of the song, which Sean emphasized on stage as he acknowledged his mother, who turned 91 this February, on Mother’s Day in the U.K.

Standing alongside filmmakers Dave Mullins and Brad Booker, Sean Lennon expressed gratitude to his mother while calling out to the audience, “Happy Mother's Day, Yoko!” The trio’s acceptance speeches highlighted the importance of the song in inspiring the project and conveying a powerful message of peace through creative storytelling.

In the post-award backstage interviews with Rolling Stone, Brad Booker shared their experience of working with Sean Lennon, stating they were constantly amazed by his charm and ability to deliver the right words at the right time. The filmmakers emphasized the significance of having Sean as a creative executive producer and the honor of meeting Yoko Ono during the filmmaking process.

Dave Mullins reflected on the responsibility they felt in adapting the iconic song into a meaningful animated film, noting the challenges and the critical need to do justice to the antiwar message that John and Yoko intended with their music. The project started before the conflicts in Ukraine and Israel escalated and aimed to bring to light the themes of peace and resolution in the face of war.

Booker highlighted the timeliness of the film’s release and its relevance to current global conflicts, emphasizing the importance of open communication and dialogue in resolving disputes, echoing the sentiments of John and Yoko’s original message in ‘Happy Xmas (War Is Over)’. The filmmakers aimed to create a compelling narrative that simultaneously evoked emotion and encouraged reflection on the impact of war.

As ‘War Is Over!’ celebrates a win at the Oscars and delivers a poignant anti-war message, the legacy of John and Yoko’s music continues to inspire audiences to reflect on the power of hope, peace, and unity through art. The film’s recognition at the prestigious awards event signifies a timeless tribute to their iconic music and advocacy for a world free of conflict.