Pixar Animation Studios has announced plans to unveil its new SparkShorts film program next week at El Capitan Theatre. SparkShort will present three new short films: “Purl,” “Smash and Grab” and “Kitbull” for an exclusive one-week run.
Update (2/18/2019):
- “Kitbull” is the third installment in Pixar’s new SparkShorts series and is now available to stream on YouTube.
- Viewers can also scroll down to “About the short films” section in this article check out the new film.
- Our own Alex recently reviewed all three shorts and shares his opinions on Pixar’s new program.
Update (2/11/2019):
- “Smash and Grab” is now available to stream on YouTube.
Update (2/4/2019):
- “Purl,” the first of three new Pixar short films is now available to stream on YouTube.
What’s happening:
- Starting on January 18, 2019, Pixar Animation Studios will unveil its new SparkShorts film program next week at Hollywood’s El Capitan Theatre.
- The program will present its first three shorts—“Purl,” “Smash and Grab” and “Kitbull”— for an exclusive one-week run.
- Guests can enjoy the exclusive presentation following The Little Mermaid feature film presentation (1 pm, 4 pm and 7 pm showtimes). Guests will need to purchase a ticket to enter the theater.
- Pixar will also premiere its first-ever YouTube exclusive launch of the shorts in the weeks that follow:
- “Purl”– February 4,
- “Smash and Grab” – February 11 (YouTube and YouTube Kids)
- “Kitbull” – February 18.
- Additionally, the first three shorts, as well as future SparkShorts, will be available on Disney+ which is set to launch in the U.S. in late 2019.
- SparkShorts is an experimental storytelling initiative that welcomes new creative voices at the studio to share their stories.
About the short films:
- “Purl,” directed by Kristen Lester and produced by Gillian Libbert-Duncan, features an earnest ball of yarn named Purl who gets a job in a fast-paced, high energy, bro-tastic start-up. Yarny hijinks ensue as she tries to fit in, but how far is she willing to go to get the acceptance she yearns for, and in the end, is it worth it?
- “Smash and Grab,” directed by Brian Larsen and produced by David Lally, is about two antiquated robots who risk everything for freedom and for each other after years of toiling away inside the engine room of a towering locomotive.
- “Kitbull,” directed by Rosana Sullivan and produced by Kathryn Hendrickson, reveals an unlikely connection that sparks between two creatures: a fiercely independent stray kitten and a pit bull. Together, they experience friendship for the first time.
What they’re saying:
- Jim Morris, president of Pixar Animation Studios: “The SparkShorts program is designed to discover new storytellers, explore new storytelling techniques, and experiment with new production workflows. These films are unlike anything we’ve ever done at Pixar, providing an opportunity to unlock the potential of individual artists and their inventive filmmaking approaches on a smaller scale than our normal fare.”
- Lindsey Collins, vice president of development for Pixar: “We want to nurture our future storytellers and encourage them to share their stories with the world. Who are the future directors and producers and what crazy new ideas do they have brewing? What is the next big breakthrough in our industry? Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of SparkShorts. The program was created to provide opportunities to a wide array of artists—each with something unique to say.”