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"Finding Nemo," A Walt Disney Pictures presentation of A Pixar Animation Studios Film, has landed a release date of May 30, 2003, it was announced today, October 31, by Dick Cook, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios, and Steve Jobs, chairman and CEO of Pixar Animation Studios. The film, which is the fifth Walt Disney Pictures presentation of a Pixar Film, will be accompanied by the acclaimed 1989 John Lasseter-directed Pixar short, "Knickknack." Moviegoers will get their first glimpse of "Finding Nemo" this Friday (11/1) when the theatrical trailer premieres on the head of Walt Disney Pictures’ "The Santa Clause 2," as well as on other current releases. "Finding Nemo" is being written and directed by Pixar’s Andrew Stanton, who served as co-director and co-screenwriter of the 1998 hit, "A Bug’s Life" and was co-screenwriter of "Toy Story," "Toy Story 2" and "Monsters, Inc." Lee Unkrich is co-director, as he was on "Toy Story 2" and "Monsters, Inc." John Lasseter, Pixar's executive vice president, creative, serves as executive producer. The release of "Finding Nemo" follows the enormous success of the most recent Disney/Pixar feature, "Monsters, Inc.," which has the 2nd highest worldwide animated gross of all time (behind only Disney’s "The Lion King") and also ranks as the bestselling DVD of all time.

The Academy Award®-winning creators of "Toy Story," "A Bug’s Life" and "Monsters, Inc." take the art and technology of computer animation to a whole new level in this stunning underwater adventure with memorable characters, humor and heartfelt emotion. "Finding Nemo" follows the comedic and eventful journeys of two fish - Marlin and his son Nemo - who become separated in the Great Barrier Reef when Nemo is unexpectedly taken far from home and thrust into a fish tank in a dentist's office overlooking Sydney harbor. Buoyed by the companionship of a friendly-but-forgetful fish named Dory, the overly cautious father embarks on a dangerous trek and finds himself the unlikely hero of an epic journey to rescue his son - who hatches a few daring plans of his own to return safely home.

Heading "Nemo’s" all-star vocal cast are Albert Brooks, who provides the voice of Nemo’s fretful father, Marlin, and Ellen DeGeneres, who is heard as Dory, a regal blue tang fish who is long on optimism but short on memory. Newcomer Alexander Gould is heard as the brave and adventurous young Nemo. Willem Dafoe lends his voice to a moorish idol fish named Gill, a tough-talking maverick who befriends Nemo. Academy Award®-winning actor Geoffrey Rush speaks for Nigel, a peculiar pelican with a soft spot for all species except seagulls. Two-time Emmy Award-winning actress Allison Janney ("West Wing") gives a star turn as a starfish named Peach.. Nemo’s other tank-mates include vocal performances by such talented actors as Emmy Award-winning Brad Garrett ("Everyone Loves Raymond"), Austin Pendleton, Stephen Root, Vicki Lewis and Pixar storyman Joe Ranft. John Ratzenberger, who has been in all four of the previous Disney/Pixar features, lends his voice to the character of Moonfish. Barry Humphries ("Dame Edna") gives a biting performance as a "vegetarian" shark named Bruce.

"Knickknack," a critically-acclaimed1989 Pixar short directed by John Lasseter, follows the desperate attempts of a lonely snow-globe snowman to escape from his rut. Surrounded by kitschy souvenirs from a variety of tourist destinations, things heat up for our frosty hero when a Miami beauty beckons and he tries his best to join the party. Alas, the best laid plans of mice and snowmen often goes astray. Pixar pushed the boundaries of early computer animation in this beloved and clever short, which features delightful personality-driven character animation.

SOURCE: Walt Disney Feature Animation and Pixar Animation Studios