Produced by five-time Oscar winner Alfonso Cuarón (Roma, Gravity), An Almost Christmas Story is the third and final installment in his holiday shorts collection for Disney+. The first short in the series, Le Pupille, earned an Oscar nomination in 2022, while last year’s The Shepherd was shortlisted – both in the Live Action Short Film category.
Directed by David Lowery (A Ghost Story, The Green Knight), An Almost Christmas Story is an animated short film inspired by the true events of a tiny owl rescued from the New York City’s Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in 2020. The short’s trailer reveals Moon, a curious young owl who unexpectedly finds himself stuck in a Christmas tree destined for Rockefeller Plaza. In his attempts to escape the bustling city, Moon befriends a lost little girl named Luna. Together, they embark on a heartwarming adventure, discovering the magic of the holiday season and forming an unlikely bond as they journey back home to their parents.
An Almost Christmas Story is set to premiere on Disney+ on November 15, 2024.
The animated short is completing a film festival circuit including Hamptons International Film Festival, Santa Fe International Film Festival, Chicago International Film Festival, Morelia International Film Festival, Montclair Film Festival, Animation Is Film, São Paulo International Film Festival, SPARK Animation Festival, World Animation Summit and Bogotá Short Film Festival – BOGOSHORTS.
The talented voice cast includes Cary Christopher as Moon, newcomer Estella Madrigal as Luna, Jim Gaffigan as Papa Owl, Mamoudou Athie as Pelly, Alex Ross Perry as Dave The Dog, Gianna Joseph as Peaky, Phil Rosenthal as Punt, with Natasha Lyonne as Pat and John C. Reilly as The Folk Singer, who performs four songs in the short, two of which are original songs.
Watch the official trailer for An Almost Christmas Story.
Watch a clip from An Almost Christmas Story.