There are only a few more days until Pixar’s newest short The Blue Umbrella enjoys its world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival. Following in the footsteps of the last original short from the studio, the heart-warming La Luna, the new short will be touring film festivals around the globe. After its premiere in Germany, where director Saschka Unseld previously attended the Animation Institute, the short film will come home to North America to screen at the SXSW Film Festival next month. Find more details after the break!
Starting out as a music conference and festival in 1987, SXSW (South by Southwest) evolved to include film as well. It has earned its place as a well-respected festival, with many great films having their first screening before going on to become critically-acclaimed productions. This year, the film festival runs from March 8-16.
The Blue Umbrella does not yet have a premiere date, as the animated shorts program has not been detailed by the festival. We are likely to see an update soon. With this being the first Pixar short to utilize a “photo-realistic” style, there is little doubt that the visuals will astound. Somehow, though, like with every other film from the studio, I have a greater anticipation for the characters and the story.
Here is the short’s official synopsis:
It is just another evening commute until the rain starts to fall, and the city comes alive to the sound of dripping rain pipes, whistling awnings and gurgling gutters. And in the midst, two umbrellas—one blue, one not—fall eternally in love.
From Pixar Animation Studios, director Saschka Unseld and producer Marc Greenberg, “The Blue Umbrella” opens in theaters on June 21, 2013, in front of “Monsters University.”