Lawa (film)

Lawa is a 2009 animated short film directed by James Ford Murphy and produced by Pixar Animation Studios. It premiered at the Hiroshima International Animation Festival in Japan and was released theatrically in front of Inside Out in 2015. The film is a musical love story set over millions of years, inspired by the beauty of tropical islands and the isolating allure of ocean volcanoes.

The story revolves around two volcanoes in the Pacific Ocean, Uku and Lele. Uku, a lonely volcano, sings a song expressing his desire for love. Over eons, he gradually erodes and loses hope. Eventually, Lele, a younger volcano who had been submerged, rises to the surface, drawn by Uku's song. Initially, they miss each other, but a volcanic eruption allows them to finally meet and find love.

The film is notable for its vibrant animation style, incorporating traditional Hawaiian music and imagery. The song, also titled "Lava," is sung in a made-up language, designed to be easily understood and emotionally resonant. The themes explored in Lawa include loneliness, the enduring power of love, and the passage of time.