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Disney Shutters Pixar Canada

Disney shutters Vancouver facility in the wake of reduced tax incentives; 100 employees laid off.

Reversing the recent trend of digital production migrating to Canada, Disney has decided to shutter Pixar Canada in Vancouver, according to a report by Variety, eliminating about 100 jobs.

“A decision was made to refocus operations and resources under the one roof, Staff were just told today,” Disney spokesperson Barb Matheson reportedly said, referring to the company headquarters in Emeryville, Calif. “Not great news, obviously,” 

Initially drawn to Vancouver by tax incentives, the closure comes in the wake of incentive reductions within British Columbia. A Pixar spokesman declined to comment on the possibility of looking to nearby locations, releasing the following statement:

“The team at Pixar Canada is incredibly talented and we are so proud of the excellent work we have produced there. However, as we look at the creative and business needs of our studio, we’ve made the decision to refocus our efforts and resources under one roof in Emeryville and will be closing the studio in Vancouver.”

A proving ground for new directors and concepts for the studio, Pixar Canada has produced several animated shorts for the studio, including Toy Story Toons: Small Fry, directed by Angus MacLane, and Partysaurus Rex, directed by Mark Walsh.

Watch the Pixar Canada launch film, made in 2010, below:

Jennifer Wolfe's picture

Formerly Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network, Jennifer Wolfe has worked in the Media & Entertainment industry as a writer and PR professional since 2003.

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