Pixar animators release sombre short film, Borrowed Time

Two Pixar animators have released a new animated short film, Borrowed Time, telling the story of a sheriff who returns to the scene of a tragic incident that occurred when he was a young boy.

Directed by Andrew Coats and Lou Hamou-Lhadj, and produced by Amanda Deering Jones for Quorum Films, the six-minute film features the uncannily beautiful CGI scenery and rich characters we’ve come to expect from the studio. As for the plot, though Pixar has shown in the past that it doesn’t shy from tragedy despite its young audience, this ventures bravely further into the devastatingly sombre with heart-wrenching effect.

The directors aimed to “make something that contested the notion of animation being a genre for children specifically,” says Lou Hamou-Lhadj in a behind-the-scenes featurette. “We wanted to make something that was more adult in thematic choices and show that animation could be a medium to tell any kind of story.”

It also plays on the strong physical stereotype of a cowboy and “takes it to a more emotional place,” explains Andrew Coats.

Music has been provided by Gustavo Santaolalla, and the film has picked up a host of awards.