Pixar Animation Studios announced a new theatrical short film called Loving Dory during a presentation at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. The short marks the studio’s return to theatrical shorts and brings back the beloved forgetful fish from Finding Nemo and Finding Dory, with Ellen DeGeneres returning to voice the character.
The announcement was made with producer Mary Alice Drumm and director Lou Hamou-Lhadj present at the festival. The short has not yet been attached to any specific theatrical release, though it represents Pixar’s first theatrical short since Burrow was planned to accompany Soul before the pandemic disrupted theatrical schedules.
Main developments
The plot of Loving Dory centers on a unique premise that captures the character’s endearing confusion. In the short, Dory falls in love with a plastic bag that she mistakes for a jellyfish. The story plays on Dory’s memory challenges and her tendency to misidentify things, referencing her famous line from the original Finding Nemo where she called a jellyfish by the name Debbie.
The creative team behind Loving Dory brings fresh talent to the beloved franchise. Lou Hamou-Lhadj serves as director while Mary Alice Drumm takes on the producer role. Both were present at the Annecy festival when the announcement was made, giving audiences a first look at the project.
From a technical standpoint, the animation showcases a dreamy, distorted visual style similar to what audiences saw in Toy Story 4. The production team developed a new puppeteering system specifically for this short, which allows for rough character staging during the early animation process. This technical innovation demonstrates Pixar’s continued commitment to advancing animation tools even in shorter format projects.
What we know so far
The confirmed details about Loving Dory include its setting within the established Finding Nemo and Finding Dory universe. The short will feature Ellen DeGeneres returning to voice Dory, a role she has played since the original 2003 film Finding Nemo. DeGeneres has been discussing her return to the character recently, indicating her involvement with the project.
The short represents a significant return to theatrical shorts for Pixar. The studio has a long history of creating companion shorts for their feature films, but this practice was interrupted during the pandemic era. Burrow was originally planned to accompany Soul in theaters, but circumstances changed those plans. Loving Dory signals that Pixar is ready to bring back this tradition.
The visual approach takes inspiration from the dreamlike sequences seen in previous Pixar films. The distorted, dreamy animation style creates an appropriate atmosphere for a story about Dory’s confused perception of reality as she mistakes a plastic bag for a jellyfish friend.
What happens next
While Loving Dory has been officially announced, several key details remain undetermined. The short has not been officially attached to any theatrical project yet, meaning audiences do not know which Pixar or Disney film will feature Loving Dory as its companion short.
No specific release date has been announced for the short. Given that theatrical shorts typically accompany feature film releases, the timing of Loving Dory will likely depend on which upcoming Pixar project it gets paired with.
The announcement at Annecy International Animation Film Festival suggests the production is far enough along to share with audiences and industry professionals, but the lack of a specific release window indicates there may still be work to complete before the final product reaches theaters.
Important details about the creative team
Director Lou Hamou-Lhadj brings a fresh perspective to the Finding Nemo universe. The director’s vision for the short includes the distinctive dreamy visual style that sets Loving Dory apart from previous films in the franchise while still maintaining the underwater world that audiences love.
Producer Mary Alice Drumm oversees the production, ensuring that the short maintains the quality standards expected from Pixar while also serving as a testing ground for new animation technology. The puppeteering system developed for this project could potentially influence how Pixar approaches character staging in future productions.
Ellen DeGeneres voiced Dory in both Finding Nemo in 2003 and Finding Dory in 2016. Her return to the character for this theatrical short continues her connection to one of Pixar’s most beloved characters. The comedian and talk show host has spoken about returning to the role recently, though her involvement was not formally announced during the Annecy presentation itself.
The return of Pixar theatrical shorts
Pixar built its reputation partly through theatrical shorts that accompanied its feature films. These shorts have included beloved pieces like Geri’s Game, For the Birds, and Bao. The tradition allowed the studio to experiment with different styles and give emerging filmmakers opportunities to direct.
The pandemic disrupted many theatrical traditions, including the practice of showing shorts before features. With Soul moving to streaming and other changes in distribution, Pixar’s theatrical short program was affected. Burrow, which was created to accompany Soul, represents the last planned theatrical short before this disruption.
Loving Dory signals Pixar’s intention to resume this practice. By returning to the theatrical short format with a project connected to one of their most successful franchises, the studio is making a statement about the continued value of shorts in the theatrical experience.
Frequently asked questions
When will Loving Dory be released in theaters?
No specific release date has been announced for Loving Dory. The short has not been officially attached to any theatrical project yet, so the release timing remains unknown.
Is Ellen DeGeneres voicing Dory in the new short?
Ellen DeGeneres is returning to voice Dory in Loving Dory. She has played the character since the original Finding Nemo in 2003 and reprised the role in Finding Dory in 2016.
What is Loving Dory about?
Loving Dory follows the forgetful fish as she falls in love with a plastic bag that she mistakes for a jellyfish. The story plays on Dory’s memory challenges and her tendency to misidentify things around her.
Who is directing Loving Dory?
Lou Hamou-Lhadj is directing Loving Dory, with Mary Alice Drumm serving as producer. Both were present at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival when the short was announced.
Which movie will Loving Dory be shown with?
The short has not been officially attached to any theatrical project yet. Audiences will need to wait for a future announcement to learn which film will feature Loving Dory as its companion short.
The announcement of Loving Dory at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival marks an exciting return to theatrical shorts for Pixar. With Ellen DeGeneres returning to voice the beloved character and a creative team bringing new visual approaches to the Finding Nemo universe, the short represents both nostalgia and innovation for the studio. Audiences will learn more details about when and where they can see Loving Dory as the project moves closer to completion.
