Courtney Casper Kent

At Pixar Animation Studios, SparkShorts filmmakers are given six months and minimal resources to assemble a team and create a short animated film. No major rules apply—filmmakers are driven by their need to tell a story and the nimble approach to do so. "A Spark Story" introduces Aphton Corbin and Louis Gonzales, two filmmakers striving to get their uniquely personal SparkShorts visions on screen. Each, teamed with a producer, navigates the emotional rollercoaster of stepping into a leadership role and inspiring their crew. Corbin’s film, “Twenty Something,” required novel approaches to storytelling to convey one character's multiple perspectives—all using hand-drawn animation (a rarity for Pixar). Gonzales’ film, “Nona,” came from an intensely personal place, but that didn’t stop a serious bout of writer's block from nearly derailing the entire production. Produced in collaboration with Pixar, "A Spark Story" comes from Supper Club (“Chef’s Table”) and directors Jason Sterman and Leanne Dare. The documentary will give audiences an exclusive and immersive look at the filmmakers and their short films, while also exploring the creative philosophy that makes Pixar unique. Jason Sterman, Brian McGinn and David Gelb produce.