SparkShorts is a series of animated short films produced by Pixar filmmakers and artists. The films are independent shorts launched as an experimental storytelling initiative that gives employees of varying backgrounds the studio's resources and funding to explore their ideas, experiment, and develop a low-budget project of their own within six months. The first episode, Purl, premiered at Siggrph 2018.[1] The first three episodes of SparkShorts were released on YouTube. The rest of the SparkShorts, along with the first three that were already released, were all released on Disney+ original programming on November 12, 2019.[2]
Producer Lindsey Collins confirmed that SparkShorts replaces the need to pair short films with their major theatrical films; admitting that she felt "torn" over the decision.[3]
Episodes[]
Poster | Directed by | Airdate |
---|---|---|
Kristen Lester | February 4, 2019 (YouTube) | |
An earnest ball of yarn named Purl gets a job at a fast-paced, high energy, male-centric start-up. Things start to unravel as she tries to fit in with this close-knit group. Purl must ask herself how far is she willing to go to get the acceptance she yearns for and in the end is it worth it? | ||
Brian Larsen | February 11, 2019 (YouTube) | |
After years of toiling away inside the engine room of a towering locomotive, two antiquated robots will risk everything for freedom and for each other. | ||
Rosana Sullivan | February 18, 2019 (YouTube) | |
An unlikely connection sparks between two creatures: a fiercely independent stray kitten and a pit bull. Together, they experience friendship for the first time. | ||
Bobby Rubio | November 12, 2019 (Disney+) | |
A father discovers that his son floats, which makes him different from other kids. To keep them both safe from the judgment of the world, Dad hides, covers, and grounds him. But when his son’s ability becomes public, Dad must decide whether to run and hide or to accept his son as he is. | ||
Edwin Chang | December 13, 2019 (Disney+) | |
Wind is a magical realism story about a Grandma and a Grandson trapped in a massive, never-ending sink-hole, living on a large boulder suspended by strong winds. Together they scavenge falling debris to build an escape, hoping to find a better life in the outside world. | ||
Erica Milsom | January 10, 2020 (Disney+) | |
A non-verbal, autistic girl and a chatty boy are partnered on a canoeing trip. To complete their journey across an urban lake, they must both learn how the other experiences the world. | ||
Steven Clay Hunter | May 22, 2020 (Disney+) | |
On an average day, Greg's life is filled with family, love, and a rambunctious little dog - but despite all of this, Greg has a secret. Today is different, though. With some help from his precocious pup, and a little bit of magic, Greg might learn that he has nothing to hide. | ||
Madeline Sharafian | December 25, 2020 (Disney+) | |
The short follows a young rabbit as she tries to build the burrow of her dreams, becoming embarrassed each time she accidentally digs into a neighbors home. | ||
Aphton Corbin | September 10, 2021 (Disney+) | |
The short examines the challenges and insecurities of 'adulting'. Gia is a 21-year-old who goes out partying with some friends, but feels less like an adult and more like "a stack of kids hiding in a trench coat". | ||
Louis Gonzales | September 17, 2021 (Disney+) | |
Nona wants to spend her day off watching E.W.W. Smashdown Wrestling, but when her 5-year-old granddaughter Renee is dropped off with her, Nona must decide between her two favorite things; leading to a compromise. | ||
Searit Huluf | February 2, 2024 (Disney+) | |
A wooden puppet who desperately wants to fit in makes an ill-fated wish upon a star, sparking a journey of self-discovery. |
Video[]
References[]
- ↑ Lester, Kristen (June 29, 2018). "I'm so excited to share my short film Purl at Siggraph! I'm grateful to everyone at Pixar who helped me tell this personal story and I'm proud to be a part of Pixar's experimental short program! #Pixar #animation #Purl #WIA" (Tweet). Twitter.
- ↑ "Pixar's Announces New Short Film Program, SparkShorts". /Film (January 11, 2019).
- ↑ "Pixar Producer Defends Decision To Stop Making Theatrical Short Films". Screen Rant (March 10, 2022).
External links[]
- Official website
- SparkShorts at Wikipedia