Disneys curated short film program,Launchpad, features six unique features created by diverse filmmakers from different backgrounds.
In the series second season,The Roof, directed by Alexander Bocchieri and written by W.A.W.
Here, Deadline talks toLaunchpadsenior manager and producerPhillip Domfehabout the powerful impact of diverse storytelling.
Disney
And what we do is, we leverage that expertise.
So weve had mentors from Lucasfilm and 20th Century.
And we gird them with that support to help them to tell their stories.
DEADLINE:Launchpadis now in its second season with a third season on the way.
What has been the learning curve between making Season 1 and Season 2?
I joined in 2020, with the responsibility of developing the second season and taking us forward.
But they really put together the bones and the vision for a project like this.
I was really grateful to have this opportunity, because Id done work similarly prior to that.
And that really allowed for two things.
I think it helped us to expand the amount of people that we were impacting.
But in season two, we were able to bring in 12 filmmakers.
So from season to season, were able to double our impact numbers.
And then again, I think the film industry and the film business is a collaborative art form.
And I admire and love writer-directors.
Niki Ang was a writer-director in season two, and did an incredible job with the short filmMaxine.
Can you speak to something that was really endearing?
DOMFEH:Our screenwriter, Adam Parker, who sometimes goes by W.A.W.
It has heart, it has humor.
I think that impacted us all in a way that well never forget.
I can honestly say that trip changed my life, changed me as a storyteller and as a producer.
So it was just like being on the road with these filmmakers for so long.
Who can we be on a long journey with?
And so its things along the way that youll never forget.
And we were an official selection of the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival.
Again, this is a story about Compton and again, very Black spaces.
And so its moments like that.
DEADLINE: Thats really beautiful.
DOMFEH:I think thats also part of the power of the program.
Thats what weve accomplished with this program.
We are lucky enough to be able to take those films out to festivals and Oscar qualifying festivals.
This can be a home for you.
DEADLINE: Lets get intoThe Roof, which was selected for Emmys consideration.
DOMFEH:I think theres a secret sauce to every part of this short film.
you might see his feelings, but he doesnt always speak to them.
For such a young actor, its an incredibly nuanced performance.
We also had Wes Studi, who is a literal cinematic legend who came in and Wes-ssed it up.
He was incredible and I got to meet him.
And that is a memory Ill hold for the rest of my life.
And there was just such an understanding of emotion and relationships.
DEADLINE:The Roofdeals with so much in just 20 minutes.
Youve got the indigenous queer term two-spirit and then youve got the theme of communal acceptance within that.
DOMFEH:Well, were the little engine that could, were a small part of the business.
But I think the most important thing that we have to do is handle everything with grace and humility.
And again, we wed the storytelling know-how that exists at Disney, with these voices.
And thats the magic.
DEADLINE: Is it true thatLaunchpadhas a different overarching theme each season?
What can you share about that?
And what can we look forward to for Season 3?
DOMFEH:We do have different themes for fun.
Its such a funny thing because we spend a lot of time sweating over the themes, actually.
The theme of Season 1 was discovery.
The theme of Season 2 is connection.
And I think thats very evident when you watch all the short films.
The theme for Season 3 is forward.
So we wanted something that was about us, as people, coming back together.
And this might be a little inside baseball but this business has been quite precarious at different times.
Last year was a year none of us wanted.
And thats how the theme of forward came up.
