Palm Springs (1989)
A delightful two-minute CalArts animated short by a young Pete Docter, featuring a purple dinosaur with a love for treetop bouncing.
Palm Springs - Movie Information
- Original Title: Palm Springs
- Release Year: 1989
- Directed by: Pete Docter
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Animation
- Runtime: 2m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): December 31, 1989 (United States)
- Production Companies: Bardel Animation Colouring House, CalArts
- Production Countries: United States of America
Palm Springs - Plot
This short is about a purple dinosaur named Sigmund, who likes to bounce on top of trees. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2011.
Where to Watch Palm Springs
Looking for where to watch Palm Springs?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
Palm Springs - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Pete Docter
Main Cast
- Pete Docter
- Ken Truhan
Palm Springs - FAQs
What is Palm Springs (1989) about?
Palm Springs is a brief animated short centered on Sigmund, an endearing purple dinosaur with a peculiar passion for bouncing on treetops. Directed by Pete Docter during his CalArts student days, it's a playful, lighthearted piece that showcases early creative flair. The Academy Film Archive preserved it in 2011.
Who directed the 1989 animated short Palm Springs?
Pete Docter directed Palm Springs as a student project at CalArts. He would later become one of Pixar's most celebrated filmmakers, going on to direct beloved features such as Monsters, Inc., Up, Inside Out, and Soul — making this short a fascinating early glimpse of his storytelling instincts.
Is Palm Springs (1989) a student film?
Yes, Palm Springs was created as a student short at CalArts, the prestigious California Institute of the Arts. It was produced in collaboration with Bardel Animation Colouring House. The film's preservation by the Academy Film Archive in 2011 speaks to its historical significance as an early work by Pete Docter.
Where can you watch Palm Springs (1989)?
Streaming availability for Palm Springs (1989) can vary by region and platform. Your best bet is to check JustWatch, which aggregates current viewing options across all major streaming services and rental platforms, making it easy to find where the short is available in your area.
Who voiced the characters in Palm Springs (1989)?
Pete Docter himself voiced Sigmond the Dinosaur, while Ken Truhan brought Freud the Caveman to life. It's a fun detail that the film's director also stepped in front of the microphone — a hands-on approach that reflects the personal, student-project nature of this early animated short.
How long is the animated short Palm Springs?
Palm Springs clocks in at just 2 minutes — a delightfully compact runtime that makes it one of the briefest entries in Pete Docter's filmography. Despite its short length, it offers a charming snapshot of the director's early imagination and animation sensibility during his CalArts student years.
Was Palm Springs (1989) officially preserved or archived?
Yes! The Academy Film Archive officially preserved Palm Springs in 2011, recognizing its cultural and historical value. This is a notable distinction for a student short film, and it underscores the significance of Pete Docter's early work given his subsequent rise to prominence at Pixar Animation Studios.
What films are similar to Palm Springs (1989)?
If you enjoy short animated films like Palm Springs, you might also appreciate Mickey's Christmas Carol (1983), A Matter of Loaf and Death (2008), Lou (2017), or Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day (1968). These shorts share a similar spirit of compact, imaginative storytelling with memorable characters.
More About Palm Springs
Explore further details about Palm Springs on these authoritative databases.