''Moongirl'' is an

animated Animation is a filmmaking technique whereby image, still images are manipulated to create Motion picture, moving images. In traditional animation, images are drawn or painted by hand on cel, transparent celluloid sheets to be photographed and e ...

short produced in 2005 by

Laika Laika ( ; , ; – 3 November 1957) was a Soviet space dog who was one of the first animals in space and the first to orbit the Earth. A stray mongrel from the streets of Moscow, she flew aboard the Sputnik 2 spacecraft, launched into lo ...

. It was written and directed by

Henry Selick Charles Henry Selick Jr. (; born November 30, 1952) is an American filmmaker and animator. He is known for his work in stop motion animation and for directing the films ''The Nightmare Before Christmas'' (1993), ''James and the Giant Peach (film) ...

and features a score by

They Might Be Giants They Might Be Giants, often abbreviated as TMBG, is an American alternative rock and Children's music, children's band formed in 1982 by John Flansburgh and John Linnell. During TMBG's early years, Flansburgh and Linnell frequently performed as ...

. It is the first film, and currently the only short film, as well as the only non-stop-motion film, produced by the company.

Plot

Leon, a youthful boy is out fishing at night when the Moon goes dark. He is magically transported to the

Moon The Moon is Earth's only natural satellite. It Orbit of the Moon, orbits around Earth at Lunar distance, an average distance of (; about 30 times Earth diameter, Earth's diameter). The Moon rotation, rotates, with a rotation period (lunar ...

, where he meets Moongirl, whom he helps try to fix the Moon.

Cast

* Avrielle Corti as Lorelei/Moongirl *

Zack Shada Zachary David Shada (born November 25, 1992) is an American actor. Life and career Shada was born Zachary David Shada on November 25, 1992 in Boise, Idaho. His brothers are actors Josh and Jeremy Shada. He appeared as Thin Boy in '' Charlie's ...

as Leon/Moonboy *

as Gargaloons

Production

The film came about after Laika held a contest for a short film idea. CG modeler Michael Berger's idea of a girl who controls the Moon was chosen, and Selick was hired to develop the short. Selick brought on

to do the score after connecting with them through Courtney Booker, who worked on the music video for "Bastard Wants to Hit Me". In May 2004, Laika president Travis Knight's brother, Matthew, died suddenly, and the film was dedicated to his memory.

Release

The film premiered at the Ottawa International Film Festival on September 24, 2005. The film was also shown with October 2005 screenings of Selick's previous work ''

The Nightmare Before Christmas ''The Nightmare Before Christmas'' (formerly known as ''Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas'') is a 1993 American stop motion Animation, animated Gothic film, gothic musical film, musical fantasy film directed by Henry Selick in his f ...

'' at

El Capitan Theatre El Capitan Theatre is a fully restored movie palace at 6838 Hollywood Boulevard in the Hollywood neighborhood in Los Angeles, California, United States. The theater and adjacent Hollywood Masonic Temple (now known as the El Capitan Entert ...

. The film was adapted into a

picture book A picture book combines visual and verbal narratives in a book format, most often aimed at young children. With the narrative told primarily through text, they are distinct from comics, which do so primarily through sequential images. The ima ...

which was written by Selick and illustrated by Peter Chan and Courtney Booker. The book, which was released on September 12, 2006, included a DVD copy of the film.

Accolades

The film has won awards at multiple film festivals, including the Short Film Special Jury Prize at the Ottawa International Film Festival, the Grand Owl Award, Best Animation at the Fantasy Worldwide International Film Festival, Best Animated Short at the Los Angeles International Children's Film Festival, Best Animated Film at Memphis International Film Festival and Best Animated Film at San Fernando Valley International Film Festival.

References

External links

* {{Laika (company) 2000s American animated films 2005 animated short films 2005 fantasy films American children's animated fantasy films Films directed by Henry Selick Focus Features animated films Laika (company) animated films Films set on the Moon Stop-motion animated short films They Might Be Giants 2000s English-language films English-language short films English-language fantasy films