Pixar Animation Studios Unveils "Loving Dory" Set To Be Screened In Front Of "Gatto", Marking The Studio's Return To Theatrical Short Films
Let's keep swimming.... cause Dory has found love.... well sort of...
As part of the Pixar Animation Studios showcase at Annecy Film Festival revealed a brand new short film "Loving Dory" set in the Finding Nemo universe which will be screened in from of "Gatto" marking the studio's return to theatrical short-films since "Carl's Date" in 2023 and "Bao" in 2018.
The short-film is directed by Lou Hamou-Lhad ("Win Or Lose") with Thomas Newman returning to score the short-film. Though the short looks very similar to the Finding Nemo films, the biggest innovation comes in the previs stage. Hamou-Lhadj showcased a real-time puppetry technique in which characters move through procedurally generated animation while following the animator’s cursor. Similar technology has been used at studios like Blue Zoo and Spain’s Lightbox Animation, but this marks a first for Pixar.
“The most important part of this whole thing is that the system is designed to consider the performance as the camera sees it,” explained Hamou-Lhadj. “We’re always operating with the final shot in mind, solving backward from that. It feels like you’re directing a live performer, telling them where their mark is and embracing improvisation to explore performance possibilities. Restaging is also immediate. There are no translate handles, no rotation widgets, just where the character should be on screen.”
"Loving Dory" follows Dory which finally finds love with a plastic bag that drifts into the ocean and that she mistakes for a jellyfish. While the short offers commentary on how human waste disrupts marine life, it does so with a highly comedic tone. We saw rom-com tropes recreated accidentally when Dory’s fin became wrapped in the bag’s handles, allowing it to “pick” a bouquet of coral for her as they drifted through the ocean together.
"Loving Dory" premieres Spring 2027 in front of "Gatto".