To Infinity and Beyond: 40 Years of Pixar

July 10–November 1

Over the past 40 years, animation studio Pixar has redefined the limits of computer-animated films through a combination of technical wizardry and artistic prowess. Its humble origins date back even further, to 1979, where it began as a division of Lucasfilm known as the Graphics Group, led by computer scientists Edwin Catmull and Alvy Ray Smith, before being purchased by Steve Jobs and spun off as its own entity in 1986. Armed with RenderMan — the innovative, proprietary 3D rendering software that powers all the studio’s films — and a troupe of animators that has included John Lasseter, Pete Docter, Brad Bird and Andrew Stanton, Pixar would go on to conquer Hollywood, winning 23 Academy Awards®, 11 Grammys® and numerous other accolades while earning over $17 billion at the box office. But the biggest praise this incredible studio has received is the love shown by fans young and old alike for the treasure trove of characters it has created: from lifelike toys Woody and Buzz Lightyear; cocky stock car Lightning McQueen; chef Remy the rat; forgetful fish Dory; cinephile trash compactor WALL-E; and so, so many more. AFI Silver celebrates 40 years of Pixar with a retrospective of the groundbreaking, moving and entertaining films that comprise their extraordinary legacy.