Disney+ Acquires Oscar-Nominated Film ‘Retirement Plan’ in Select Regions or ‘Retirement Plan’ Lands on Disney+ in Select Territories – Oscar Nominee Available Now

A poignant animated short film, Retirement Plan, is captivating audiences with its blend of ⁢humor and existential reflection. Released in late 2025, this 2D​ animation has garnered significant ⁤acclaim, including a nomination on the Oscar shortlist and is now available for streaming on‌ Disney+ in the United Kingdom⁣ and across Europe.

You can also experiance this thought-provoking film at no cost thru The New Yorker‘s viewing room. This accessibility⁣ underscores the filmmakers’ desire to share⁢ this story with a broad audience.

The Story Behind Retirement Plan

directed by Irish filmmaker John Kelly, his debut work, Retirement Plan, was‌ produced by Antidote and commissioned by Screen Ireland and RTÉ. The narrative centers on Ray, voiced by Domhnall Gleeson (known for roles in The Seagull, The Paper, and ‍ Star wars: The Last Jedi), a man grappling with mid-life apathy who⁢ finds ‌solace in daydreaming about the freedoms of retirement. ⁢Gleeson also stepped into the role ‌of executive⁢ producer ⁢for this project.

I’ve found ⁣that ​stories about finding meaning in life, especially ‍during transitional periods, resonate deeply with viewers. Retirement Plan ‍taps into⁣ this ‍worldwide experience with a unique artistic ​approach.

Accolades and⁢ Recognition

Sence its premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh in 2024, Retirement Plan has amassed an impressive collection of awards.These include five Oscar-qualifying accolades:​ the⁣ Grand Jury ⁣Award‌ for Animated ​Short at SXSW,‍ where it also received the Animation Audience Award; the Best Irish Professional Short Film ⁣award from⁣ Animation Dingle; the Best animated Short Film prize at the Bali International Film Festival; the best Film of the Festival award from Palm Springs ShortFest; and the⁢ Best Animated Short Film⁣ award from the Foyle Film Festival.

These awards aren’t just ‍accolades;​ they’re indicators of the film’s quality and its ability to connect with audiences and​ industry professionals alike. According to a recent report by the Academy of Motion ⁢Picture Arts and Sciences (December 2025), short films are increasingly influential in launching the ⁢careers of emerging ⁢filmmakers.

The screenplay is⁣ a collaboration between John Kelly ‍and Tara Lawall,with animation brought to life by ⁤Marah Curran and Eamonn O’Neill. Andrew ​Freedman and Julie Murnagahn oversaw‍ production, while John Carroll Kirby composed the film’s evocative ⁤score. Rounding⁣ out the executive producers are Domhnall Gleeson,emma ‌Scott (Screen Ireland),and Pauline MacNamara (RTÉ).

For ⁣those eager to learn more, visit retirementplanfilm.com.

Did You ​Know? ​ Animated short films frequently enough serve as a testing ground for new techniques and storytelling approaches, influencing larger-scale animated features.