Courtney Dabney-Hill completed a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania, majoring in Fine Arts with a minor in Cinema. Courtney is also a graduate from Savannah College of Art and Design with an M.F.A. degree in Animation. Courtney uses different mediums ranging from CG animation to mixed media films that complement the message and story being told in the video.

 

As a young child, her ethnic background and life experience growing up as a fair-complexioned Black female has deeply influenced her art. As a child, she wanted to see more Black characters in lead roles within animation and film. Based on her experience and feelings of an outsider in childhood, it is her ultimate goal to be inclusive rather than exclusive. She believes it is not only important to be inclusive of minority groups like herself, but also to educate and repaint a different and positive picture of the Black community to others.

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Her most recent film, "A Precious Life," has earned recognition at several festivals, including winning best experimental video in the Europe Music Video Awards. This film, inspired by someone close to Dabney-Hill, tells the story of an impoverished mother who gives up her son in hopes of a better life for him.

 

Her concept and screenplay for Hey Diddle Diddle advanced to the Quarter-Finalist for the worldwide Spring competition ScreenCraft Film Fund. Hey Diddle Diddle is an animation dramedy about Max, a 10-year-old boy, who discovers the true history between the humans and animals.  His actions ultimately determine the future for the animals and the fate of the human race. This story can be enjoyed at face value by all ages while also offering a lesson and question of morals.