The animated short, directed by David Lowery and produced by Academy Award-Winning filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón, is inspired by the true events of a tiny owl rescued from New York City’s Rockefeller Center’s Christmas tree in 2020; it debuts November 15.
Disney Branded Television has released a trailer and images for An Almost Christmas Story, a Disney+ Original Short Film helmed by Peter Pan & Wendy director by David Lowery and produced by Academy Award-Winning Filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón. The animated short debuts on Disney+ November 15.
An Almost Christmas Story is the third and final installment in Cuarón’s holiday shorts collection for Disney+. His first short, Le Pupille, earned an Oscar nomination in 2022 in the “Live Action Short Film” category. Last year’s The Shepherd was shortlisted in the same category.
The film, inspired by true events, follows the rescue of a tiny owl from New York City’s Rockefeller Center’s Christmas tree in 2020. The short’s trailer reveals Moon, a curious young owl who unexpectedly finds himself stuck in a Christmas tree destined for Rockefeller Plaza. In his attempts to escape the bustling city, Moon befriends a lost little girl named Luna. Together, they embark on a heartwarming adventure, discovering the magic of the holiday season and forming an unlikely bond as they journey back home to their parents.
Watch the trailer:
The animated short is completing a film festival circuit including Hamptons International Film Festival, Santa Fe International Film Festival, Chicago International Film Festival, Morelia International Film Festival, Montclair Film Festival, Animation Is Film, São Paulo International Film Festival, SPARK Animation Festival, World Animation Summit, and Bogotá Short Film Festival – BOGOSHORTS.
The voice cast includes Cary Christopher as Moon; newcomer Estella Madrigal as Luna; Jim Gaffigan as Papa Owl; Mamoudou Athie as Pelly; Alex Ross Perry as Dave the Dog; Gianna Joseph as Peaky; Phil Rosenthal as Punt; with Natasha Lyonne as Pat and John C. Reilly as The Folk Singer, who performs four songs, two of which are original.
Disney Branded Television and Cuarón’s Esperanto Filmoj produced the film, in association with Titmouse and Maere Studios, with animation services by 88 Pictures. The creative team includes Lowery (director, screenplay, and producer), Cuarón (producer and story), Gabriela Rodríguez (producer), Jack Thorne (story and screenplay), Nicholas Ashe Bateman (creative design supervisor), and Daniel Hart (composer).
Source: Disney Branded Television