DVDizzy Forum

Apparently, Disney's newest short "Versa" was screened in front of Snow White at the El Capitan Theater between April 15-21. It's very odd Disney released it with no fanfare and zero promotion. They didn't even post about it on their social media accounts. I suppose, this could be because they're planning on releasing this on TV or Disney+ at a later date and simply gave it a short theatrical run now to qualify it for the Oscars like they did with Once Upon a Studio. Still, it's very strange they've been completely mum about it.

The short sounds very similar to Glen Keane's "Duet".

Disney's "Versa" is about a young couple experience a gamut of emotions from grief and loss to ultimate joy as they embark on an ethereal “cosmic dance of life,” in this personal animated short from director Malcon Pierce.

Source: https://elcapitantheatre.com/showings/snow-white

Malcon Pierce wrote:This is the very beginning of sharing Versa with the world — an animated short film I directed at Disney, and the most personal projects of my career. Last Wednesday, Versa premiered at the Annecy Animation Festival. It was an intimate screening, not just of the film but of the personal journey that led to it. This short was inspired by the path my wife and I have walked together — through the deep grief of losing our son Cooper, and the quiet, fierce love it takes to keep choosing each other through it all. Versa is a film that follows a young couple who experience a range of emotions, from grief and loss to ultimate love, joy and acceptance, as they embark on an ethereal “cosmic dance of life.

This film has been a labor of love since the days I was working on Moana. It started as a quiet idea, a personal reflection, something I wasn’t even sure I’d ever share. To now see it taking its first steps into the world — it’s surreal, emotional, and deeply humbling. I feel incredibly fortunate to work at a studio that not only supports filmmakers to tell their stories, but also makes space for something this personal. That trust means everything. To the incredible team who helped bring this to life — thank you. Your heart and artistry are in every single frame. And to Annecy, thank you for giving Versa its first light.

Source: https://www.instagram.com/malconpierce/p/DLAjtKBxjow/

Carlos Fraiha: With Malcon Pierce and Siggi Orri Þórhannesson, director and animation supervisor of a new beautiful Disney short that I’ll keep secret for now because I’m not sure we can share the title yet. First project completed at our studio in Vancouver and our first wrap party! It was incredible!

Malcon Pierce: Yeah Carlos! So great to celebrate with you!

Source: https://www.instagram.com/carlosfraiha/p/C_9CAPpzrLs/

Haim Mazar: Thrilled to announce that I scored my first Disney animation short VERSA which is now playing at the legendary El Capitan. Truly a dream come true. Big thanks to the amazing Malcon Pierce and Matt Walker for letting me tell this incredibly touching story with music only and without a word of dialogue! I was fortunate to record and conduct this score with LA’s finest at Warner Bros Eastwood stage.

Malcon Pierce: Thank you for bringing your Magic to this project! Your score took it to the next level! Also, let’s do it again sometime!

Source: https://www.instagram.com/haimmazarmusic/p/DIfIOd-ObUx/

Haim Mazar wrote:Nothing better than spending the day with LA’s finest.

Source: https://www.instagram.com/haimmazarmusic/p/DBSHVNTycde/

Haim Mazar wrote:Screening time.

Source: https://www.instagram.com/haimmazarmusic/p/DAUXBteS4ab/

Haim Mazar wrote:Finishing touches on a very special project.

Source: https://www.instagram.com/haimmazarmusic/p/C-tX1QJyOBp/

Haim Mazar: Incredible day at WB with LA’s finest.

Malcon Pierce: What a great picture!

Source: https://www.instagram.com/haimmazarmusic/p/C-Mtbrsuhct/

Haim Mazar wrote:Something very exciting in the works.

Source: https://www.instagram.com/haimmazarmusic/p/C8DTO-CSr4M/


Source: https://www.instagram.com/malconpierce/p/DLAjtKBxjow/


Source: https://i.imgur.com/qtFJBpj.jpg


Source: https://www.instagram.com/haimmazarmusic/p/DIfIOd-ObUx/


Source: https://www.instagram.com/haimmazarmusic/p/DIfIOd-ObUx/


Source: https://www.instagram.com/haimmazarmusic/p/DIfIOd-ObUx/

Variety posts pictures and Interview with the director of the short.
https://variety.com/2025/artisans/news/ ... 1236554756

still no word on release. We do know there is no short with Zootopia 2. Will it release with Hoopers? Or Hexed?

Pictures from Versa popped up on my Facebook feed, and in the comments, a lot of people said it looked like it was made with AI.

I could see Disney using some AI tools on their projects, but I don’t think anything substantive in them is the product of AI (I hope…). But Wish was also accused of being AI. Again, I didn’t really see it, but it makes me wonder: AI pretty successfully replicates Disney/Pixar’s house style, to the point that a lot of programs or apps have a “Disney” setting. Should this motivate Disney to reconsider their CGI house style? Is there even any point, because AI can surely quickly replicate any new house style they create?

Less related but… I think as AI becomes a bigger and bigger part of our lives, at some point people are going to crave a return to human authenticity. Now, I don’t believe that will be the end of AI, I believe AI is here to stay, but I think at some point, there’s going to be a time in the culture when people are sick of the computer generated stuff and they’ll want things that really “feel” human, or if AI achieves that feeling, things that can be verified to be human-made: might this be the window hand drawn needs to make a comeback?

UmbrellaFish wrote: ↑Sun Oct 19, 2025 7:42 amLess related but… I think as AI becomes a bigger and bigger part of our lives, at some point people are going to crave a return to human authenticity.

Will they? I'm starting to feel this is just wishful thinking on our part. AI is only getting better and better and soon people will no longer be able to distinguish what was made with AI and what was not, and unless it becomes required by law, companies will most likely stop disclosing when something was made with AI to avoid backlash. They are already making entire animated films with AI such as the recent Where the Robots Grow and the upcoming Critterz as well as animated series such as Cat Biggie and The Hundred Acre Wood's Winnie-the-Pooh. And this is not something limited to CG projects; AI can produce hand-drawn animation as well. There are fewer examples of that due to the market being CG dominated; not because AI can't do it.

Even if something isn't made entirely by AI, it would be very difficult—if not impossible—to ascertain which of its elements were hand-crafted and which were not. AI can and is being used in every aspect of filmmaking, including pre- and post-production. What happens if AI is used for things such as visual development, editing or sound mixing, but not for the animation itself? Do you come up with a percentage? How can you even quantify that? And what if someone who was hired to work on a project used AI without permission or without notifying anyone? What happens then? There was a recent controversy surrounding a song from K-Pop Demon Hunters that was accused of being written by AI—and based on the evidence I've seen, it probably was—despite there being a disclaimer on the actual film that no AI was used during its production.

UmbrellaFish wrote: ↑Sun Oct 19, 2025 7:42 am AI pretty successfully replicates Disney/Pixar’s house style, to the point that a lot of programs or apps have a “Disney” setting. Should this motivate Disney to reconsider their CGI house style?

This was also something ive been tinkering around earlier. I dont blame the gp with thinking that the new short Was AI generated, atleast regarding the character designs. The big eyed round face Disney house style turned into a clichee tothis point that most AI servers perfectly replicated them. Its indeed time for WDAS to branch out to more unique or complex art styles. I would really welcome more realistic face proportions like from WDAS movies in the 40s-50s, atleast no annoying bug eyes please. As a child i Was Obsessed with Princesses with big eyes (guess that's another reason why Rapunzel was my favourite lol ) but as im growing older im growing tired of it and it does look childish and clichee. I miss the more realistic looking protagonists like Cinderella, Aurora or Prince Philipp, would be cool to have that "house style" come back

Sotiris wrote: ↑Sun Oct 19, 2025 1:13 pm AI can and is being used in every aspect of filmmaking, including pre- and post-production. What happens if AI is used for things such as visual development, editing or sound mixing, but not for the animation itself?

exactly. AI could be benefitial for the less creative parts like PreViz or Character 3d modeling based on Concept art to kill time. If only AI wouldnt damage the environment

Yeah, it`s really odd and remarkable that Disney released this short with no fanfare or promotion at all. But at least the designs of the characters are appealing (regardless of the low quality of the stills).

New interview with the director.
https://www.cartoonbrew.com/shorts/vers ... 56078.html

Another Interview.
https://www.animationmagazine.net/2025/ ... hort-versa


most interesting part is him saying he's basically co-directing an unanounced Legacy Short. Wonder what it is???
As Versa continues to play at various animation events and festivals around the world this year, Pierce is also busy co-directing an unannounced short. He’s tight-lipped about the details, but he does tell us this: “This short revisits one of Disney’s favorite characters, and I’ll have to leave it at that for now!”