Sep 12, 2024

Disney Announces “An Almost Christmas Story,” a New Short Film Produced by Alfonso Cuarón and Directed by David Lowery

The new animated short An Almost Christmas Story will debut this fall on Disney+.

Produced by Disney Branded Television, the film is directed by David Lowery (“Pete's Dragon,” “Peter Pan and Wendy”) and produced by five-time Academy Award winner Alfonso Cuarón (“Gravity,” “Roma ) will produce.

According to Disney, the film follows Moon, a curious young owl who unexpectedly finds himself stuck inside a Christmas tree headed for Rockefeller Plaza. Trying to escape the bustling city, Moon befriends a lost girl named Luna and together they must find a way to reunite with their parents. The film is inspired by the true story of the discovery and rescue of Rocky the Owl (short for Rockefeller) from the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in 2020.

It includes two live-action shorts, “Le Pupille” (nominated for an Academy Award in 2023) and “The Shepherd” (2023).

Cuarón's Esperanto Filmage was produced in collaboration with Disney Branded Television, in association with Titmouse and Maire Studios, and animated by 88 Pictures of India. Lowry wrote and produced in addition to directing, and Cuarón is credited with the story. Other major credits include Gabriela Rodriguez (producer), Jack Thorne (story and screenplay), Nicholas Ash Bateman (creative designer), and Daniel Hart (composer).

The voice cast includes Cary Christopher (Moon), Estella Madrigal (Luna), Jim Gaffigan (Papa Owl), Mamoudou Athie (Perry), Alex Ross Perry (Dave Dog), Gianna Joseph (Peaky), Phil Rosenthal ( Panto), Natasha Lyonne (Pat), and John C. Reilly (Folk Singer) led the group, and he performed four songs in the short, two of which are originals.