“After failing to land her dream job, Alexis questions her inner critic and unravels the origins of her comfort food.”
United States 2023 – 6 minute animation –
“Little t,” an award-winning animated short by Pixar’s Masha Ellsworth, has entered the official selection of the 2024 AmDocs Film Festival in Palm Springs. The film explores how a girl and her adult counterpart struggle with her inner critic.
Since its launch in 2023, “Little t” has earned numerous honors, including Best Animation at the Utah International Film Festival, one of its four awards, as well as an honorable mention. He has also been invited to the American Animated and Documentary Film Festival and the Film Fund in Palm Springs, contributing to his acceptance into 27 festivals in total.
“Little t” Follow Alexis on the most important day of her life: an interview for her dream job as an interior designer. Although she boasts an impressive resume and design portfolio, she is also accompanied by two lifelong companions: her “inner critic” and her “inner child.” As Alexis examines her connections to comfort food, he discovers new insights about her and her skills and finds the courage to show her potential in the interview, quelling the doubts raised by her longtime colleagues. she.
The film is inspired by Ellsworth's own experiences.
“Years ago, when I was stuck in a professional rut, I struggled with self-doubt and fear of failure.” Ellsworth saying. “Then I received a fortune cookie that said, 'Silence the Inner Critic,' and that prompted me to explore and overcome my inner critic.”
“Little t” it assures viewers that dealing with such negative self-talk is normal and highlights the main character's journey to silence his own.
Lisa Damour, a renowned American clinical psychologist and author, praised “Little t” for its complex and visually impressive narrative that directly addresses perfectionism and self-criticism. He highlighted how effectively the film depicts the transformation of the imagination from an adversary to an ally, making it relatable to anyone who has ever felt not good enough. Damour suggests that the film's universal message will resonate widely.
Asia's leading film critic, Thomas S. Hong, wrote that he couldn't help but “fall in love with this six-minute short film.” “Little t” It makes us realize “that we have to face the “small traumas” of everyday life and love ourselves more.”
The Utah International Film Festival featured a revealing article about “Little t”diving into the creative process and inspiration behind Masha Ellsworth's animated short. Animation The magazine highlighted the film as being “notable” among the 81 animated short films selected for the 25th Bucheon International Animation Festival. LA Indies has also highlighted “Little t” in its coverage of the independent film industry.
ABOUT MASHA ELLSWORTH
Masha Ellsworth is a senior technical director in the character department at Pixar Animation Studios by day and an independent filmmaker by night. “Little t” marks her directorial debut.
The Ukrainian-American filmmaker began her career in 2007 when she worked as an intern on Pixar's Oscar-winning film. Ratatouille, working on sets and lighting. He then transitioned into Pixar feature film characters such as UP, Toy Story 3, Brave, Cars 2, Inside Out, Finding Dory, Cars 3, The Good Dinosaur, Coco, Incredibles 2, Forward and turning red. Born and raised in northern Ukraine, Ellsworth graduated from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, with a double bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Visual Arts.
“Little t” is a product of Pixar's cooperative project, in which employees receive initial funding to create their own animated short films. However, the majority of the work was done pro bono by animation industry professionals, coming from companies such as Pixar, Netflix Animation, Dreamworks Animation, Sony Animation and DNEG, along with artists from around the world. The contributors came from diverse backgrounds, brought together by “Little t”The compelling story.
CONTACT: Masha Ellsworth
masha@pixar.com
cell: +1 510-755-8269
