Pixar Canada

Lore & Background

Pixar Canada was established in April 2009 and officially opened on April 20, 2010 in the Gastown area of Vancouver, British Columbia. The location was chosen for tax incentive reasons, Vancouver’s computer-generated animation talent pool, and time-zone compatibility with the main studio in California. The studio’s initial three-year plan was to produce animated short films based on established Pixar film characters, for distribution across Disney businesses including television, DVD compilations, internet, theme park attractions, and theatrical presentations. Post-production and stereoscopic 3D work remained at Pixar’s main studio in Emeryville, California.

Reader's Guide

Pixar Canada’s significance lies in its role as a short-lived experiment in expanding Pixar’s production capacity outside its California headquarters. The studio produced several short films—Air Mater, Small Fry, and Partysaurus Rex—that extended the lives of popular feature film characters. Its closure in October 2013, with the loss of nearly 100 jobs, reflected a strategic refocusing of Pixar’s operations. The former studio space was subsequently occupied by Industrial Light & Magic’s Vancouver satellite, which carried out primary character animation and visual effects on major Hollywood films. The studio’s brief existence highlights the challenges of maintaining satellite animation studios and the shifting priorities of parent company Disney.

Did You Know?

• Pixar Canada was located in the Gastown area of Vancouver, British Columbia.
• Its closure in October 2013 resulted in the loss of nearly 100 jobs.
• After closure, Industrial Light & Magic moved into the former Pixar Canada studio space.