Pixar announces short film ‘Loving Dory’, teases 'Gatto'

Pixar has unveiled two exciting new projects at the Annecy International Animation Festival, announcing a new Finding Nemo spin-off short, Loving Dory, while also offering a fresh look at the original feature film Gatto.

The biggest surprise from the presentation was Loving Dory, a new short film that brings back the fan-favourite blue tang fish from Finding Nemo and Finding Dory. The project marks Pixar's first short set in the beloved underwater universe, giving audiences another chance to follow Dory in a brand-new adventure.

While story details remain under wraps, the studio confirmed that Loving Dory will expand the world of the Oscar-winning franchise, which first debuted with Finding Nemo in 2003 before returning with the box office hit Finding Dory in 2016.

Alongside the announcement, Pixar also showcased Gatto, an original feature directed by Luca filmmaker Enrico Casarosa. Set in Venice, Italy, the film follows Nero, a black cat who has spent years navigating the city's canals and alleyways. Owing a debt to a local feline mob boss, Nero unexpectedly forms a friendship with Maya, a street artist whose colourful outlook begins to change his perspective on life.

Unlike Loving Dory, Gatto is not connected to the Finding Nemo franchise and represents an entirely original story from Pixar. The film also introduces a distinctive hand-painted visual style inspired by Venice, marking a fresh artistic direction for the animation studio.

Pixar's presentation at Annecy highlighted the studio's continued focus on balancing original storytelling with beloved franchises. While Loving Dory revisits one of Pixar's most popular characters, Gatto offers audiences an entirely new world and cast of characters.

A release date for Loving Dory has yet to be announced. Gatto is currently scheduled to arrive in cinemas in 2027.