Pixar Unveils New Theatrical Short LOVING DORY and Shares New Footage From GATTO
Pixar gave animation fans at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival something special this week, offering an early look at two very different upcoming projects.
Along with debuting the first work-in-progress footage from its new theatrical short Loving Dory, the studio also screened finished scenes from its beautifully stylized upcoming feature Gatto.
The presentation gave audiences a chance to revisit one of Pixar's most beloved characters while also showing just how ambitious the studio's next original feature is shaping up to be.
Directed by Lou Hamou-Lhadj (Borrowed Time, Win or Lose), Loving Dory brings audiences back into the underwater world of Dory and Nemo for an unexpected new adventure. Instead of focusing on danger or discovery, this short leans into an unusual and surprisingly sweet encounter.
During Pixar's Annecy presentation, Hamou-Lhadj and producer Mary Alice Drumm (Elio, Coco) introduced early footage from the project while walking the audience through much of the screenplay.
The story begins after a tube of sunscreen is accidentally dropped from a boat floating above Dory and Nemo's coral reef home. The plastic bag carrying it eventually loses its contents, fills with water, and drifts through the ocean looking eerily like a glowing sea creature.
Dory mistakes it for a jellyfish, setting off an unexpected underwater romance that feels every bit as quirky as fans would expect from the forgetful blue tang.
Drumm also confirmed that Ellen DeGeneres is returning to voice Dory alongside other members of the original voice cast. She also announced that acclaimed composer Thomas Newman is back to compose the score, reuniting another key creative talent from Pixar's Finding Nemo universe.
Before unveiling Loving Dory, Enrico Casarosa shared a substantial update on his next feature film, Gatto, which was first announced during last year's Annecy Festival.
Set among the canals of Venice, the film follows Nero, a black cat voiced by Mark Ruffalo, who owes a dangerous debt to feline crime boss Rocco, played by Laurence Fishburne.
Casarosa revealed additional details about the story, introducing two more key characters. Saverio is a slapstick pigeon, while Maja is a gifted violinist who performs throughout the streets of Venice.
The story brings Nero and Maja together after Rocco orders Nero to steal Maja's violin. Completing the job would erase his debt and finally free him from the mob boss's grip, placing the cat at the center of what looks to be an emotional and visually stunning adventure.
Casarosa also surprised the Annecy crowd by announcing that he'll personally voice Saverio.
The filmmaker has a long history with the festival. Before directing Luca, Casarosa worked as an animator on films including Ice Age, Cars, Ratatouille, Up, and Cars 2. His Academy Award-nominated short film La Luna premiered at Annecy in 2011, while Luca became part of the festival's virtual Official Selection during the pandemic.
When discussing the artistic direction of Gatto, Casarosa explained that he and the animation team spent time exploring Venice firsthand while drawing inspiration from artists including Tintoretto, John Singer Sargent, and Claude Monet.
"It’s very coarse, sketched and painterly and textured," he said. The unique visual style already stands apart from previous Pixar films, giving Gatto the appearance of a living painting brought to life through animation.
Casarosa also revealed that the production recently passed a major milestone, with roughly 50% of the animation now complete. Gatto is currently scheduled to arrive in theaters on March 5, 2027.
Between the heartfelt charm of Loving Dory and the gorgeous painterly world of Gatto, Pixar continues to show that it's willing to experiment with both familiar characters and original storytelling.
Source: Deadline