Pixar’s
Directed by Domee Shi, the eight-minute animation that played before “Incredibles 2” received a nomination for Best Short Film on Tuesday.
Previously shortlisted for the award, “Bao” is up against “Animal Behaviour,” “Late Afternoon,” “One Small Step” and “Weekends.”
The film tells the story of a Chinese-Canadian woman who lives in an empty nest and gets another shot at motherhood when one of her dumplings literally comes to life.
Shi, a Chinese-Canadian herself, is the first woman to direct an animated short film for Pixar.
Speaking to Gold Derby last month, the 30-year-old director from Chongqing revealed that her biggest inspiration for the short film was her own parents.
“Ever since I was little, they’ve always treated me like their precious, little dumpling, always protecting me, making sure I’m safe, making sure I never went out and never had a life outside of their little realm.
“I wanted to use this short as a way to explore that relationship between an overprotective mom and a baby dumpling and show how the bittersweetness of letting something go even though you love it so much.”
“Bao” received generally favorable reviews, especially from Asian Americans, who thought of the tear-jerking short as a memory of home and the immigrant experience.
Fans are thrilled over the short film’s nomination:
The 91st Academy Awards will take place at Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California on Feb. 25.
Images via Disney-Pixar
