Google’s Spotlight Story program has come a long way since Windy Day landed on Moto X phones in 2013. Since then, the company has consistently produced short films to take advantage of smartphone hardware. In 2015, the company worked with former Disney animator Glen Keane to produce the lyrical Duet, and later signed Fast and Furious director Justin Lin for the live-action monster movie Help!. Each effort has pushed the envelope in one way or another, all in order to move stories told in 360 degrees forward.

Now, Google is heading to the Academy Awards. Pearl, directed by Oscar winner Patrick Osborne, is easily one of the most affecting Spotlight Stories to debut in recent years. A love story starring a family and their ever-present car,…

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