Disney’s ‘Songs in Sign Language’ Reimagines Familiar Songs Through a Deaf Lens

April 21, 2026April 22, 2026 Michael Lee

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Songs in Sign Language, debuting April 27 on Disney+, is an opportunity to bring songs to the Deaf community in ways that feel fully expressive, intentional, and culturally authentic, rather than simply translated and confined to a small box in the corner. In our interview with Disney animator and director Hyrum Osmond (Olaf Presents), Deaf West Theatre artistic director DJ Kurs, and sign language reference choreographer Catalene Sacchetti, we explore why reimagining songs from Frozen II, Moana 2, and Encanto matters.

Animation, Movies

‘Moana 2’ Creators Share Resonating Stories with Cultural Specificity

March 7, 2025March 7, 2025 Michael Lee

While Moana 2 is already out on digital, it is also scheduled to debut on Disney+ on March 12 and hit store shelves on March 18. Ironically, the sequel was originally supposed to be a Disney+ streaming exclusive, but first-time directors Dana Ledoux Miller, Jason Hand, and David G. Derrick Jr. were able to navigate creative changes and deliver something that was a hit with theatergoing audiences, while also having a grander celebration of Polynesian culture.

Animation, Interview, Theatre

Gerald Faitala Ramsey on Voyaging from ‘The Lion King’ to ‘Moana 2’ and Beyond

December 12, 2024December 10, 2024 Lauren Lola

Actor Gerald Ramsey has had quite a year of milestones. After nearly a decade of playing Mufasa in the North American touring production of The Lion King, he bowed out of the Pride Lands back in September. In November, he made his voice acting debut in Moana 2 as Tautai Vasa; the ancestor of Moana who summons her on her new mission to reunite the people of other islands.

Animation, Movies, Reviews

‘Moana 2’ is a Beautiful Sonic and Visual Feast

November 26, 2024November 26, 2024 Michael Lee

The first Moana was a journey of self-discovery for the title character (Auliʻi Cravalho) who teamed up with the awesome fishhook-wielding and shapeshifting and sometimes self-centered demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) to restore the heart of Tefiti. Eight years later, audiences are reunited with the characters they love in Moana 2, a sequel that’s worthy of your time.

Animation, Movies

‘Moana 2’ Featurette Inspires Explorers to Protect the Oceans

November 20, 2024November 27, 2024 Michael Lee

To celebrate the forthcoming release of Walt Disney Animation Studio’s Moana 2, fans are invited to join Disney, National Geographic Pristine Seas, and Polynesian Voyaging Society to celebrate the explorer and Moana in all of us and answer the call to protect our oceans together. And they have released a featurette to help inspire the conservationist in us all.

Animation, Movies

Sound and Animation Team Talk New Sights and Sounds of ‘Moana 2’

November 18, 2024November 18, 2024 Michael Lee

Post-production is essential to completing any film, especially an animated one like Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Moana 2.

Animation, Interview, Movies

‘Moana 2’ Directors and Producers Talk Off-Screen Representation

October 28, 2024October 30, 2024 Michael Lee

In 2016, Walt Disney Animation Studios released Moana, an animated musical based on Polynesian mythology. The studio strived to make the film’s details more authentic to Polynesian cultures through research and the help of Oceanic Story Trust. Now Moana 2 takes the next steps to advance off-screen representation by bringing two filmmakers of Samoan-heritage on as directors.

Animation, Movies

‘Moana 2’ Footage Reaction: Disney’s Latest Sets Sail for a New Adventure

October 28, 2024October 28, 2024 Michael Lee

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Moana was more than a commercial and critical hit of 2016; it was also a celebration of the Polynesian culture. Set on the fictional island of celebrates Motunui, the film followed the title character (Auliʻi Cravalho) who embarks on a oceanic adventure with the mighty demigod Maui (Dwyane Johnson) to save her village from a blight.

Animation, Movies

Reo Māori Dub of ‘Moana 2’ Arrives the Same Day as English-Language Counterpart

October 23, 2024November 25, 2024 Lauren Lola

A little over a month remains until Moana 2 hits theaters, and for folks in New Zealand, they’ll have more than one way of experiencing it.

Animation, Movies

New ‘Moana 2’ TV Spot Teases “We’re Back” Song

September 26, 2024September 27, 2024 Michael Lee

Disney has released the newest TV spot for Moana 2, which gives a sneak peek of the newest song: “We’re Back.”

Animation, Trailers1 Comment

‘Moana 2’ Trailer Voyages to Answer Ancestral Call

May 29, 2024June 2, 2024 Michael Lee

Walt Disney Animation Studios has revealed the newest trailer and poster for the nightly anticipated Moana 2. How far will she go this time?

Animation, Movies

Walt Disney Animation Studios Announces ‘Moana 2’ for a November 2024 Release

February 7, 2024February 8, 2024 Michael Lee

When Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Moana first hit the shores in 2016, it was critical and commercial smash that brought Polynesian culture and a contemporary sound from singer and songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda onto the big screen in a way that could only be described as magical. Now, the studio hopes to replicate that once more with Moana 2, a newly announced sequel that is set to arrive in theaters November 2024.