East Coast premiere of Pixar’s “La Luna” to benefit Japan Earthquake Relief Fund

Jim Hill

13 years ago

This coming Sunday – what with being the 10^th
anniversary of 9/11 and all – is obviously going to be a fairly somber time in
NYC.

But that said, it's important at moments like this to
remember that we're not actually alone in the world. That there are other
people on this planet who (just like all of those New Yorkers did back on
September 11, 2001) need our kindness, our good wishes and – most importantly –
our generosity at times like this.

Which bring me to that "Films For Hope" screening which will
be held in New York City this coming Sunday evening. This one-day-only showcase
of animated short films from all around the world is being presented by the
Japan Society on 9/11/11 to mark the six month anniversary of the disaster that
devastated Japan (which — obviously — occurred back on 3/11/11).

"So why bring this is up on JHM?," you ask. Because among
the animated shorts that are being screened this Sunday is Pixar's latest, "La
Luna." Which means – if you actually attend this event – you can catch the East
Coast premiere of this sure-to-be-acclaimed production.

Now if you were among the lucky folks who got to attend that
25^th-anniversary-of-Pixar-Shorts panel that I moderated at the D23
EXPO last month, you already know that this Enrico Casarosa film is an absolute
charmer. There's so much that the artists & technicians up in Emeryville have
managed to cram into this particular animated short (i.e. magic, over-the-top
imagery, whimsy, love of family, daring to go your own way) that "La Luna" is
the sort of movie that you're going to want to watch over & over again.

But here's the thing: Following this short being shown at
the EXPO as well as last weekend's screening at the Telluride Film
Festival, this Sunday's screening of "La Luna" at that "Films for Hope" event
in NYC will likely be the last time this new Pixar short is screened publicly
in the States at least until next May. Which is when this Enrico Casarosa film
will be the short that's placed out in front of Pixar's next feature-length
production, "Brave."

So if you yourself would like to do something brave and bold
this coming Sunday (i.e. take a day that could be marked by sadness &
reflection and opt instead to do something hopeful & helpful on that date
instead), why not attend the Japan Society's "Films for Hope" event this coming
Sunday in NYC?

Here's another incentive for all your Pixar fans out there
to attend. "La Luna" director Enrico Casarosa will actually be on hand after
Sunday night's screening to discuss the making of Pixar's latest short. More
importantly, 50% of the proceeds from ticket sales for this event will go to
the Japan Earthquake Relief Fund, which is helping out with that country's rebuilding
efforts.

For further information on this joint initiative of the
Japan Society's Film Program and the U.S.-Japan Innovators Network (which – FYI
– is being curated by Justin Leach. That animation industry veteran, who –
these days, anyway – is working his magic at Blue Sky Studios), please click on
this link.