#TheDayWithTrae - Chris Carthern, COO and producer at Cutting Edge Animation, discussed the company's flagship project, "Captain Zero," on "The Day with Trae" with guest host Alicia Crank. Carthern, who has been involved with the project for two years, highlighted the animated superhero story that tackles depression and anxiety, personified by a depression demon voiced by the legendary Keith David. The narrative aims to address the stigma of mental health, especially within the Black community, by portraying a young Black boy's journey to "properly unpack and process his trauma, not glorify it."

"Captain Zero" gained significant recognition when it was chosen for the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival. Cathcart recounted how the project, still incomplete at the time, caught the attention of Whoopi Goldberg, who curates the festival's animation lineup. The creator, Z Cher-Aimé, drew inspiration from his personal battle with major depressive disorder, transforming his experience with a sleep paralysis demon into the central antagonist of the story, Carthern said. 

Looking ahead, Cutting Edge Animation is planning a feature film set for release in 2027 and a five-season animated series. Carthern announced a local screening in Seattle on October 8th at the Northwest Film Forum, further expressing the team's desire to deliver a universal message: "We're stronger than the voices, the dark voices that are in our heads,” he said. “And with the right tools and awareness, you can save a life, and that life might even be your own."

You can buy tickets to see “Captain Zero” at the Northwest Film Forum on October 8th from 8PM-11PM at cuttingedgeanimation.com 

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