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First-time feature film director Kelsey Mann dug deep into his own emotions while making “ Inside Out 2 .” As he imagined a story about the confusing journey we all go on through puberty, he knew he would need to add new emotions to the ones from the first animated hit — so Anxiety, Envy, Ennui and Embarrassment join the fray in main character Riley’s developing mind. At the Annecy Animation Festival, Mann will appear at a special screening of the Pixar film June 14 and will serve as Disney Art Challenge jury president.

The theme of this year’s event will be “Adolescence: So many emotions.” He spoke to Variety about the new film. This was your first feature film.



How was it to sit in the director’s chair? This is the first time I’ve directed a feature film, but I’ve directed at the studio before. I did it for a “Monsters University” short called “Party Central.” That was the first time I had ever directed anything at Pixar.

This was the first time I’ve sat in the director of a feature film chair, and it’s been a dream come true to be able to have that opportunity. There’s a lot of pressure that comes along with it, obviously. I tell people I’m making a movie about anxiety for a reason.

The great part is that when I worked in the story department, which is how I came into Pixar, you interact with a couple other departments like editorial, and layout and art. The greatest part about being able to sit in the director’s chair is I get to work.

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