In a Heartbeat, the internet’s latest viral video is a Pixar-esque short film about a closeted gay boy who anxiously comes to terms with his crush on a fellow schoolmate.
Clocking almost 22 million views and counting since it was first uploaded to YouTube on last week, the film was created by US animation students Esteban Bravo and Beth David off the back of a $US14,000 Kickstarter fund.
The award-winning short focuses on shy redhead Sherwin, who runs the risk of being outed by his own heart after it pops out of his chest to chase down the boy of his dreams.
The four-minute video finds Sherwin struggling to hide his true emotions as his runaway heart makes a dash to alert his crush of his true feelings.
Viewers have praised the heartfelt film for its honesty in depicting the inner turmoil that young LGBTQ people face as they begin to embrace their sexuality in the face of societal discrimination.
