Pixar's SparkShorts Debuts Its First Short Film 'Purl'

Last week, Pixar announced the creation of SparkShorts, a new in-house venture described as an “experimental storytelling initiative” that hopes to provide more opportunities for up-and-coming creators within the Disney-owned animation company. In the past, Pixar has highlighted a variety of diverse stories within its shorts, such as 2015’s Sanjay’s Super Team and 2018’s Bao, and the new short film titled Purl stays true to Pixar’s new direction.

Written and directed by Kristen Lester, and produced by Gillian Libbert-Ducan, the 8-minute film seeks to explore male-dominated workplaces and what women do in order to try and fit in. The short tells the story of a highly-energetic ball of yarn named Purl, who begins working at a male-centric financial startup called B.R.O. Capital. As she tries to knit together plans for the company’s direction, the young newcomer is met with some challenges as she interacts with her hypermasculine coworkers.

The film is hopefully the first of many such narratives Pixar will develop, especially considering former CCO John Lasseter was recently fired due to sexual harassment and accusations of misconduct.

Check out the first film of the series above, and be sure let us know what you think about Pixar’s newly revealed SparkShorts.

For more related news, actor Liam Neeson is currently facing a backlash for racial commentary.