Any Asburian worth their salt knows that the Highbridge Film Festival is basically the highlight of the spring semester. I think it has given me a new appreciation for short films. I've enjoyed the ones before Disney and Pixar's feature length films for a few years now, but Highbridge has really made me think about the art form that is a short film. Anyways, this list is in no way definitive; it is very much subjective. But these are the Disney/Pixar shorts that I think are the best, starting with number seven.
7. Feast
From the moment I saw this adorable little puppy, I knew this short was going to be a hit. I loved seeing how food played a part in the story and how it can help chronicle a person's life and unite or divide a couple.
Plus, look at that animation. Look at how the sunlight shifts across Winston's face!
6. Get a Horse!
It has all of the feel of an old Disney short mixed with modern animation. Plus, Mickey's voice is taken entirely from old recordings of Walt Disney himself voicing the Main Mouse.
The first part of the plot is a little blah, but once Mickey and Co. start playing with the movie theater screen itself, the short takes off.
5. La Luna
I don't see "La Luna" talked about often, even in the Disney fandom. It aired before Brave, and I was enchanted the moment the little boy and his father and grandfather appeared. Not only is the animation lovely (see the examples above and below) but every little sound is charming, particularly when they sweep the stars.
4. John Henry
The animation style! The music! The story! It makes me tear up every single time. Definitely one of my favorite American folklore tales, and Disney only made me love it more.
3. Piper
Pixar's newest short is absolutely adorable. I swear, my eyes grew to the size of saucers while I was watching it. I mean, if these gifs can't convince you of the adorableness, than you're probably heartless.
2. The Blue Umbrella
This is the first Disney short I remember seeing in theaters, so it'll always hold a special place in my heart. The animation, the focus on music and sounds, and the way the plot is portrayed so effortlessly.
There's nothing better than umbrellas and their owners falling in love in front of a French cafe literally named Le Parapluie Cafe (The Umbrella Cafe).
1. Paperman
(Y'all saw that coming, right?)
Paperman is a work of art, from its music to its cute moments to its animation. It was pretty much made to be turned into a Steve Rogers/Peggy Carter AU, too. If you haven't see this short yet, you definitely need to head over to Netflix and find it in the Walt Disney Animation Studios Short Films Collection.
LOOK AT THOSE CUTIES.
"Two paper airplanes flyin', flyin'." (Okay, more than two. But I had to get a T-Swift reference in here somewhere.)
(Y'all see the Peggy resemblance, right?)
So those are my favorite Disney/Pixar shorts. What are yours?
