Following is the official press release regarding the recent release of hit animated short The Mantis Parable to DVD. “The Mantis Parable is the charming tale of a humble caterpillar trapped in a bug collector’s jar and in need of a helping hand. This eight-minute animated short film has captivated audiences around the world with its stunning beauty and heartfelt message that resonates with children and adults alike.”

For just over a year The Mantis Parable has screened in more than 50 top festivals around the world and won 15 awards (qualifying twice for consideration for an Academy award nomination in the Best Animated Short Film category). It has been a feature story in countless magazines and newspapers (online and print) including gracing the cover of Computer Graphics World this May. It has screened at the nation’s most prestigious museums – the Smithsonian Institute, the National Gallery of Art, and in October will screen at the Museum of Modern Art in New York (MoMA going so far as to request and purchase a copy for their permanent archive).

The Mantis Parable is Josh Staub’s first film, but he’s no stranger in the art and storytelling world. By day, Josh is the Art and Visual Design Director for Cyan Worlds, the creators of the popular computer games Myst, Riven, and URU: Ages Beyond Myst. A self-proclaimed “non-gamer,” Josh felt the time had come to take the leap into the world of film, and with The Mantis Parable he’s made quite a splash. Even more remarkable is that The Mantis Parable is truly a one-man tour-de-force. Everything – story, visuals, animation, sound effects, even the music score was written and performed by Josh alone, all of it during an 18-month span at home in his spare time for roughly $4500. Yet despite its limited budget, the eight-minute animated short-film described by film-critic Michael Medved as “artful and engaging…a skillful, thought-provoking, densely packed work with world class animation”, has captivated audiences around the world with its stunning beauty and heartfelt message that resonates with children and adults alike. Dr. Ted Baehr, Founder/Publisher of MOVIEGUIDE, echoes Medved’s sentiments giving the film his “highest commendation” and declaring that “The Mantis Parable equals the best work that Pixar has ever done. Superb filmmaking. Subtle, transformative, and animated with an incredible attention to detail . It is excellent…” Animation World Magazine calls it “luminous…a visual stunner, a you-are-there tour of the inside of a household we’re all too big to ever visit.”

This professionally replicated DVD contains the 8 minute film (NTSC* / 1.85:1 / Stereo), 3 Director’s Commentaries (1 Creative and 2 Technical), 17 Making Of “Featurettes” including WIP images and clips from the film, and more! The DVD is just $15 USD**, and is currently only available at the official website at www.themantisparable.com.