Out (2020 film)
First Pixar short with a gay main character.
Out is a 2020 American animated short film from Pixar, directed and written by Steven Clay Hunter and produced by Max Sachar. It was released by Pixar and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. The story follows a young gay man who hasn’t come out to his parents; after a magical mix-up, he swaps minds with his dog. This short is the seventh in Pixar’s SparkShorts series and marks the first Disney or Pixar short to center on a gay protagonist and storyline, including an on-screen kiss between two men. It debuted on Disney+ on May 22, 2020, and later made the shortlist for the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film at the 93rd Academy Awards.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Steven Clay Hunter
- Producer
- Max Sachar
- Starring
- Caleb Cabrera / Matthew Martin / Kyle McDaniel / Bernadette Sullivan
- Cinematography
- Matthew Silas · (camera)
- Editing
- Noah Newman
- Music
- Jake Monaco
- Studio
- Pixar Animation Studios
- Distributor
- Walt Disney Studios / Motion Pictures
- Released
- 22 May 2020 · Disney+
- Runtime
- 9 minutes
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The plot follows a young gay man named Greg who has not yet come out to his parents. While packing to move in with his boyfriend Manuel, Greg's mind is magically swapped with his dog Jim's after a magical cat and dog imbue the dog's collar with magic. As Greg's parents arrive to help, Greg in the dog's body tries to prevent his mother from finding a photo of him and Manuel, while his dog in his body runs outside.
Reader's Guide
Out is significant as the first Disney and Pixar short to feature a gay protagonist and an on-screen same-sex kiss, marking a milestone in LGBTQ representation in mainstream animation. The short was released on Disney+ on May 22, 2020, and later on YouTube in June 2021 for Pride Month. It was shortlisted for the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film at the 93rd Academy Awards. The film explores themes of coming out and familial acceptance, with a plot that resolves when Greg realizes his mother already knows and accepts his sexuality.
Did You Know?
- Out is the seventh short film in Pixar's SparkShorts program.
- It is both Disney's and Pixar's first short to feature a gay main character and an on-screen same-sex kiss.
- The music was composed by Jake Monaco and released on July 3, 2020.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Out (2020)?
Out is a 2020 Pixar SparkShorts animated short written and directed by Steven Clay Hunter, following a young gay man who, after a magical accident, finds himself inside his dog's body. The film uses this fantastical premise to explore coming out and the desire for familial acceptance.
What wish-fulfillment magic drives the story of Out?
The protagonist's unspoken wish to be openly loved by his parents is fulfilled when a mysterious mix-up transfers his consciousness into his dog, freeing him to be physically affectionate and playful without the fear of revealing his identity. The swap essentially grants him the emotional safety he has been craving.
How does the story of Out (2020) resolve?
Once the mind-swap is undone, the young man seizes the moment to tell his parents the truth about who he is, and the film closes with a warm, affirming moment that includes a kiss between him and his partner.
Why do fans consider Out (2020) a landmark for Disney and Pixar?
It is widely recognized as the first short produced by either studio to center a gay protagonist and his storyline, and it features one of the first on-screen kisses between two men in a Disney or Pixar production.
What are the basic production and release details for Out (2020)?
The short was produced by Max Sachar, premiered on Disney+ on May 22, 2020, and was distributed by Pixar Animation Studios alongside Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. It also earned a place on the Academy Award shortlist for Best Animated Short Film.
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