Pixar Animator’s Little t Featured in Yahoo News Japan & Hito Cinema for Its Exploration of Everyday Trauma

We’re honored to share that Little t, the debut animated short film by Pixar animator Masha Ellsworth, has been featured in Hito Cinema and Yahoo News Japan, with high praise from renowned Asian film critic Thomas S. Hong.

In the article, Hong writes:

"Through this work, she wanted to explore the often-overlooked effects of everyday trauma. We usually associate trauma with major events such as accidents or violent crimes, but many people experience persistent stress, mental abuse, or neglect in their daily lives, which can have lasting effects."

Little t dives into the inner world of a young woman battling her inner critic—born from years of small, cumulative wounds. With no dialogue, the film relies on rich visual metaphors to explore how we internalize fear, perfectionism, and shame, and how that inner voice can become both an obstacle and an unexpected source of growth.

The short has resonated widely across international audiences and mental health advocates, praised for giving voice to a kind of trauma that is often invisible. The feature in Yahoo News Japan and Hito Cinema brings even greater visibility to the film’s powerful message and Ellsworth’s cross-cultural artistic impact.