Disney Branded Television has acquired first-generation Taiwanese American filmmaker Sean Wang’s award-winning documentary short, “Nǎi Nai and Wài Pó.”
“Nǎi Nai and Wài Pó” features dialogue in both Mandarin and English and is a “multigenerational story” that celebrates Sean Wang’s two grandmothers, one on his father’s side and the other on his mother’s side. The film premiered at the SXSW film festival, where it took home the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award. Since then, it has gone on to receive Grand Jury Awards at AFI Fest and SIFF 2023, a slot on the IDA Shortlist and Special Jury Recognition at LAAPFF 2023, among other accolades.
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“Nǎi Nai and Wài Pó” will be in the first installment of Disney’s “People and Places” relaunch, a revival of Walt Disney’s documentary film series in the 1950s and 1960s.
“The collection of short documentary films will feature a mix of up-and-coming and established filmmakers telling the real-life stories of extraordinary people and places from around the globe that embody the Disney ethos,” the series description reads.
The film is directed by Wang, who also serves as producer along with Sam Davis and Malcolm Pullinger. It will be available to stream on Disney+ in 2024.
“‘Nǎi Nai and Wài Pó’ embodies the essence of Walt Disney’s storytelling legacy with its deep emotional impact and focus on family,” said Marjon Javadi, vice president of original documentaries at Disney Branded Television. “As we celebrate 100 years of The Walt Disney Company, Sean Wang reminds us, through his grandmothers’ beautiful relationship, that we can find magic in the every day at any age.”
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