‘Inside Out 2’ Premiere Brings All the Emotions to Kids at Packard Children’s, Especially Joy

Patients at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford enjoy a visit from Pixar animators and a special screening of the newly released movie ‘Inside Out 2.’

A storyboard artist and animator from Pixar visit with patient Andrew Bumb in advance of the ‘Inside Out 2’ screening at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford, June 17.

On Monday, Disney, Pixar, and Starlight Children’s Foundation brought a themed movie party experience to patients both at the bedside and inside the Harvest Cafe at Packard Children’s. Animators from Pixar attended the special screening to engage one-on-one and show kids how to draw and color their favorite Pixar characters.

“We are so fortunate to have Disney Pixar Studios bring us ‘Inside Out 2’ for our patients and their families to enjoy this evening,” says Jeanie Liang, Broadcast Studio coordinator. “The reason that’s something special for our patients and families is because it gives them a chance to experience something that they would be doing if they were not here in the hospital.”

Patient William Barton of North Carolina knew that he would be in Palo Alto at the hospital when the movie premiered in theaters on June 14.

“William’s favorite movie is ‘Inside Out 1,’ and he knows the release date, and he knew it was going to come out in theaters while he was out here for heart surgery,” says Elizabeth Barton, mother. “So, learning that there was a screening here of ‘Inside Out 2’ for all of the patients here, brought the biggest smile to his face.

William was discharged an hour and a half before the hospital movie premiere

The movie is the follow-up to the studio’s 2015 Oscar- and Golden Globe-winning feature film, returning to the mind of newly minted teenager Riley just as headquarters is undergoing a sudden demolition to make room for something entirely unexpected: new Emotions! Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust, aren’t sure how to feel when Anxiety shows up.

Kids and their families can relate, as they navigate their medical treatments and extended stays at the hospital.

“We have been trying to hold space for two very opposite feelings,” says Sonia Lozano, a Los Angeles native and mother to 11-year-old patient, Camilo. “Feelings of immense gratitude of being here [at Packard Children’s] and having Camilo followed so closely with an amazing team, along with feelings of sadness…missing our family, our friends, and our hometown.”

For families, the movie event is a welcome distraction and break from treatment.

“They’re able to have a little bit of normalcy, to step outside of their hospital rooms, and let a little bit of the hospital melt away,” Liang says. “And feel like a child that isn’t constrained by all the medical procedures, or the things that may be happening in their day-to-day.”

An animator who worked on ‘Inside Out 2’ draws Pixar characters

Camilo (left) with brother Massimo

And thanks to the Disney Movie Moments program, and the Child Life and Creative Arts team, a cherished summer tradition won’t be missed by patients who are unable to leave the hospital to see the latest movie on the big screen.