Get your tissues handy – you’re going to need them after watching In a Heartbeat. It’s a new animated short film that is absolutely breaking the Internet, and it’s so necessary in today’s climate of intolerance and hate.

In a Heartbeat was put together by Ringling College of Art and Design students Beth David and Esteban Bravo as their computer animation thesis, but it has now taken on much more of a life than just a school project. It deals with a young boy struggling to come to terms with his feelings for a handsome peer, a topic never previously explored by animated film, and features an adorable jumping heart that is just begging to be made into a new Pixar mascot. In just 4 minutes, it captures the experience of countless LGBTQ youth, and shows them that there’s nothing to be afraid of.

The Florida students managed to successfully crowdfund almost 5 times their original estimated costs to produce the film through Kickstarter, and their hard work is paying off. Since hitting YouTube, In a Heartbeat has racked up over 5 million views, and everyone watching it is begging for a sequel. Take in the touching short for yourself below, and find out what people are saying about it!

More info: Facebook, Tumblr, Beth David, Esteban Bravo