Full Breakdown
Disney Unveils “Lilo & Scratch” Short at Annecy, to Precede “Hexed” on Nov. 25
6/26/2026, 9:21:57 PM
Core Event: Short Debuts at Annecy International Animation Festival
On June 14, 2026 Disney presented new footage of its upcoming feature Hexed and premiered a surprise theatrical short titled “Lilo & Scratch.” The short will screen ahead of Hexed in cinemas worldwide when the feature opens on Nov. 25, 2026.
Background & Context: From the 2002 Classic to a Hybrid Revival
The original Lilo & Stitch (2002) combined hand-drawn characters with watercolor backgrounds. Disney revisited the property with a live-action remake in 2025, starring Maia Kealoha as Lilo. The new short seeks to recapture the 2002 visual style while employing modern computer-assisted techniques.
Key Figures & Production Team
Directors Fawn Veerasunthorn and Malcon Pierce led the short’s development. Chris Sanders, co-director of the 2002 film, returns as the voice of Stitch and will write and direct the sequel to the live-action remake. Maia Kealoha reprises her role as Lilo. Original supervising animator Alex Cooper Schmidt contributed hand-drawn animation. The short’s release follows the recent passing of Daveigh Chase, the original voice of Lilo.
Animation Technique & Visual Approach
“Lilo & Scratch” employs a 2D/CG hybrid pipeline. Traditional hand-drawn animation and watercolor backgrounds are combined with computer-generated facsimiles. Six background tests were shown; only two were actual watercolors, yet the difference was indistinguishable. A side-by-side comparison revealed that both Lilo and Stitch are rendered as 3D models that rotate to expose their digital nature. The short also features interaction between a 3D Stitch and a 2D cat, Scratch, whose laser-eye effects and a prop that shifts from 3D to 2D demonstrate seamless integration.
Plot Synopsis & Narrative Placement
The short follows Lilo bringing home Scratch, an alien cat who attempts to eat Pudge, the weather-controlling fish in a fishbowl. Stitch repeatedly rescues Pudge, culminating in a kitchen battle where both characters revert to alien forms with multiple arms and antennae. The narrative occurs shortly after the events of the original film and concludes abruptly, encouraging audiences to view the full short by attending the Hexed screening.
Official Statements & Responses
Veerasunthorn explained that the studio “worked with our incredible team to figure out how every artist, whether they use pencil, pixel, paintbrush, or Cintiq pen, could all join in on this film.” Pierce emphasized that “everything in this short was crafted by artists,” underscoring Disney’s intent to blend modern CG pipelines with the classic watercolor aesthetic. Both directors highlighted the short’s role in honoring the original’s visual legacy while showcasing Disney’s current technical capabilities.
Criticism & Opposition: Skepticism Over Hexed’s Format
Prior to the presentation, some online observers speculated that Hexed might be presented exclusively in vertical video format. The Annecy footage dispelled that notion, displaying varied layouts and “more ambitious visual staging” than skeptics had predicted, though the short itself did not directly address those concerns.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact number of genuine watercolor backgrounds used—two of six shown were confirmed as originals, leaving the remaining composition ambiguous. Additionally, the short’s total runtime and any further plot details beyond the opening minutes remain undisclosed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “He was always reminding us to push the animation very, very far, saying, ‘What are you afraid of?'” — Fawn Veerasunthorn, Director
- “Our studio includes artists working in multiple disciplines who wanted to work with these characters,” — Fawn Veerasunthorn, Director
- “Everything in this short was crafted by artists.” — Malcon Pierce, Director
- “Across every era of Disney, there is one subject that has inspired so many films. From the Walt Disney era to the Renaissance to today, we’ve always loved exploring magic,” — Fawn Veerasunthorn, Director
Why It Matters / Impact
The short demonstrates Disney’s commitment to preserving its 2D heritage while leveraging contemporary CG tools, addressing fan demand for more hand-drawn-style content. Its hybrid approach may influence future projects that seek to balance nostalgia with technical innovation.
What’s Next: Theatrical Release on Nov. 25
Audiences will experience “Lilo & Scratch” as a prelude to Hexed when both open in theaters on Nov. 25, 2026.
