Former University of Akron football player’s Oscar-winning short film ‘Hair Love’ being turned into series

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - From the bright lights under the football field to the bright lights of Hollywood, former University of Akron football player Matthew A. Cherry’s Oscar-winning short film is being turned into a series.

After winning the award for Best Animated Short Film, “Hair Love” got picked for a 12-episode series with HBO.

The film was based on the award-winning book following an African American father learning to do his daughter’s hair.

Cherry predicted his story would become a success eight years ago:

Here was Cherry’s full speech:

What would have been my full speech. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/qeL43gqK0k
— Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) February 10, 2020

The University of Akron Football Twitter account tweeted its congratulations out.

CONGRATULATIONS, Matthew A. Cherry!!!🏆#Oscars2020 pic.twitter.com/GpAjGYqynP
— Akron Zips Football (@ZipsFB) February 10, 2020

Matthew A. Cherry, left, and Karen Rupert Toliver, winners of the award for best animated short... — Matthew A. Cherry, left, and Karen Rupert Toliver, winners of the award for best animated short film for "Hair Love", pose in the press room at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)(Jordan Strauss | Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

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