Disney+ recently announced the upcoming release of LAUNCHPAD, a curated collection of live-action short films that comes from a whole new generation of filmmakers.
The artists chosen for the inaugural season of LAUNCHPAD all come from underrepresented backgrounds. More than 1,100 filmmakers applied for the chance to share their vision and perspectives with the world, but these six stood out from their peers.
After the winners were chosen, each of the filmmakers were given the chance to work with an executive mentor from one of the Disney brand’s branches—Disney+, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Production and Walt Disney Animation Studios.
This year’s Launchpad films were inspired by different aspects of life’s journey and follow the theme “Discover.” Mahin Ibrahim, Director of Disney’s Diversity & Inclusion, Market, who oversees the LAUNCHPAD program, said in a press release, “this first group of shorts by these six gifted filmmakers took our breath away. They are moving, provocative and entertaining, and they each convey a unique perspective on living in America today and the things you learn about yourself and others when you follow your own path.”
This season’s LAUNCHPAD films will debut on Disney+ starting May 28 and include American Eid written and directed by Aqsa Altaf, Dinner is Served written by G. Wilson and Hao Zheng and directed by Hao Zheng, Growing Fangs written and directed by Ann Marie Pace, The Last of the Chupacabras written and directed by Jessica Mendez Siqueiros, Let’s Be Tigers written and directed by Stefanie Abel Horowitz and The Little Prince(ss) written and directed by Moxie Peng.
—Erica Loop
Featured photo courtesy of Disney+
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