When he debuted the world of 9 in his Academy-Award nominated short, Shane Acker didn't have the access to the same level of animation resources that he does now that it's being adapted for the big screen with the help of producers Tim Burton and co. Still, it is well worth watching for a early glimpse of of the richly imagined world he has created.
And in a video interview, the director offers a tour of this nightmarish post-apocalyptic landscape, illuminating the struggle to establish a new culture in the post-human landscape, explaining the significance of the number 9, and talking about why his hero brandishes a light instead of a weapon.