Some of the best stories come in the form of short films. The creative ability to take a full and complex story and fit it into a matter of minutes is sheer brilliance. Disney+ is launching a new series to celebrate unique and magical shorts from marginalized filmmakers. LAUNCHPAD, premiering on May 28, will debut six short films with rich, interesting plots.
With LAUNCHPAD, Disney aims to diversify the types of stories that get funding and heightened platforms. It also wants to make these stories accessible to viewers. The selections are from a pool of more than 1100 applicants in the US; the chosen ones got to work with executive mentors from Disney+, Lucasfilm, Marvel Studios, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, and Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production.
A trailer gives fans a sneak peek into what they can expect from these films. LAUNCHPAD’s first season will include the following stories. Check out their official synopses below:
American Eid
This film’s writer and director is Aqsa Altaf. It follows Ameena, a Muslim Pakistani immigrant who wakes up on Eid to find out that she has to go to school. Homesick and heartbroken, she goes on a mission to make Eid a public-school holiday, and in the process, reconnects with her older sister, and embraces her new home, while her new home embraces her.
Dinner Is Served
A Chinese student at an elite US boarding school realizes excellence is not enough when he tries out for a leadership position no international student has ever applied for. Hao Zheng directed and wrote this film alongside G. Wilson.
Growing Fangs
Val Garcia, a Mexican-American teen who is half human/half vampire, has had to keep her identity a secret from both worlds. But when her human best friend shows up at her monster-infested school, she has to confront her truth, her identity, and herself. Growing Fangs’ writer and director is Ann Marie Pace.
The Last of the Chupacabras
In a world where culture has nearly ceased to exist, one lone Mexican-American struggling to carry on her traditions unknowingly summons a dark and ancient creature to protect her. Jessica Mendez Siquerios is the writer and director of this short.
Disney+
Let’s Be Tigers
Avalon’s not ready to process the loss of her mother, but when she’s put in charge of a 4-year-old for one night, she finds more comfort than she ever could have expected. Let’s Be Tigers‘ writer and director is Stefanie Abel Horowitz.
The Little Prince(ss)
When Gabriel, a 7-year-old Chinese kid who loves ballet, becomes friends with Rob, another Chinese kid from school, Rob’s dad gets suspicious about Gabriel’s feminine behavior and decides to intervene. Moxie Peng wrote and directed the film.
LAUNCHPAD is the beginning of a new wave of diverse films and stories. In fact, there is already a call for season 2 submissions. Hopefully, this will lead to many more magical and heartfelt adventures.