Exclusive: Disney’s Launchpad Season 1 Directors discuss acceptance within their films
Currently playing on Disney+ are all six of Disney’s “LAUNCHPAD” Season One live-action short films from a new generation of dynamic storytellers. The goal of Disney’s “LAUNCHPAD” is to diversify the types of stories that are being told and to give access to those who have historically not had it. Inspired by life’s journey, these first six short films for Disney+ are based on the theme, “Discover.”
BlackFilmandTV.com's Wilson Morales spoke with the directors of Disney+ Launchpad - GROWING FANGS: Ann Marie Pace (Director), AMERICAN EID: Aqsa Altaf (Director), LET’S BE TIGERS: Stefanie Abel Horowitz (Director) and DINNER IS SERVED: Hao Zheng (Director), THE LITTLE PRINCE(SS): Moxie Peng (Director)
Disney’s “LAUNCHPAD” Season One short films:
“AMERICAN EID,” Written and Directed by Aqsa Altaf.
Ameena, a Muslim Pakistani immigrant, 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,” Directed by Hao Zheng, Written by G. Wilson & Hao Zheng.
A Chinese student at an elite U.S. boarding school realizes excellence is not enough when he tries out for a leadership position no international student has ever applied for.
“GROWING FANGS,” Written and Directed by Ann Marie Pace.
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.
“LET’S BE TIGERS,” Written and Directed by Stefanie Abel Horowitz.
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.
“THE LAST OF THE CHUPACABRAS,” Written and Directed by Jessica Mendez Siqueiros.
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.
“THE LITTLE PRINCE(SS),” Written and Directed by Moxie Peng.
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.