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Disney Debuts New Theatrical Stitch Short 'Lilo & Scratch' at Annecy

The announcement signals rapid franchise expansion, preserving the original film’s watercolor hand-drawn look through a hybrid production approach.

Overview

  • Walt Disney Animation Studios revealed Lilo & Scratch at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, showing work-in-progress footage and technical tests that recreate the 2002 film’s style.
  • The short features Chris Sanders returning as the voice of Stitch and Maia Kealoha voicing Lilo, and includes original supervising animator Alex Kupershmidt hand-animating shots.
  • Disney said the short will play before the studio’s next feature, Hexed, with outlets reporting a theatrical date of November 25, 2026 for the paired release.
  • Filmmakers demonstrated a hybrid pipeline that blends hand-drawn characters, watercolor backgrounds and CG models so artists can contribute with pencil, paint or pixel in the same frame.
  • The Annecy reveal also coincided with trade reports that a live-action Lilo & Stitch sequel is in development with a reported release date of May 26, 2028, underscoring a broader push to build on last year’s blockbuster remake.