ANIMATED SHORTS Feb 23, 7:00pm
Estimated Running Time: TBD, no more than 90 minutes
Bao – USA, 8 minutes
Director: DOMEE SHI
Producer: BECKY NEIMAN-COBB
Synopsis: In Disney•Pixar’s “BAO,” an aging Chinese mom suffering from empty nest syndrome gets another chance at motherhood when one of her dumplings springs to life as a lively, giggly dumpling boy. Mom excitedly welcomes this new bundle of joy into her life, but Dumpling starts growing up fast, and Mom must come to the bittersweet revelation that nothing stays cute and small forever. This short film from Pixar Animation Studios and director Domee Shi explores the ups and downs of the parent-child relationship through the colorful, rich, and tasty lens of the Chinese immigrant community in Canada.
Late Afternoon – Ireland, 10 minutes
Director: LOUISE BAGNALL
Producer: NURIA GONZÁLEZ BLANCO
Synopsis: Emily is an elderly woman who lives between two states, the past and the present. She journeys into an inner world, reliving moments from her life. She searches for a connection within her vivid, but fragmented memories.
Animal Behaviour – Canada, 14 minutes
Directors: ALISON SNOWDEN and DAVID FINE
Producer: MICHAEL FUKUSHIMA
Synopsis: Dealing with what comes naturally isn’t easy, especially for animals.
In “ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR”, the latest animated short from the Oscar®-winning team of Alison Snowden and David Fine (Bob’s Birthday), five animals meet regularly to discuss their inner angst in a group therapy session led by Dr. Clement, a canine psychotherapist.
Weekends – USA, 16 minutes
Director: TREVOR JIMENEZ
Producer: JEREMY SLOME
Synopsis: “WEEKENDS” is the story of a young boy shuffling between the homes of his recently divorced parents. Surreal dream-like moments mix with the domestic realities of a broken up family in this hand-animated film set in 1980’s Toronto.
One Small Step – USA, 8 minutes
Directors: ANDREW CHESWORTH and BOBBY PONTILLAS
Producer: SHAOFU ZHANG
Synopsis: Luna is a vibrant young Chinese American girl who dreams of becoming an astronaut. From the day she witnesses a rocket launching into space on TV, Luna is driven to reach for the stars. In the big city, Luna lives with her loving father Chu, who supports her with a humble shoe repair business he runs out of his garage. As Luna grows up, she enters college, facing adversity of all kinds in pursuit of her dreams.
PLUS A SELECTION OF ADDITIONAL ANIMATED FILMS