The inaugural season of Launchpad is now streaming on Disney+, featuring a collection of six live-action short films from a new generation of dynamic storytellers. The shorts were developed and produced through the Disney Launchpad Shorts Incubator program, which aims to diversify the types of stories that are being told and to give access to those who have historically not had it.
Panavision provided the camera and lens packages for the six original shorts. “Panavision and Disney share a commitment to empowering storytellers from a diverse cross section of communities,” says Panavision president and CEO Kim Snyder. “Across the globe, we’re passionate about ensuring those storytellers have access to equipment and services that will enable them to realize their creative visions. We’re proud to collaborate with Disney in supporting the incredibly talented filmmakers of the Launchpad program.”
Based on the theme “Discover,” the first season provides a platform for the work of writer-directors Aqsa Altaf (American Eid), Stefanie Abel Horowitz (Let’s Be Tigers), Ann Marie Pace (Growing Fangs), Moxie Peng (The Little Prince(ss)), Jessica Mendez Siqueiros (The Last of the Chupacabras), and Hao Zheng (Dinner Is Served, co-written by G. Wilson).
Ahead of Launchpad’s premiere on Disney+, Disney and Panavision presented a conversation with the six directors for participants in the Academy Gold program. The conversation — which covered topics such as onscreen representation, the power of storytelling, nurturing a collaborative creative environment, and making the most of whatever resources are available — can be viewed at the link below.
