Pixels

New York City faces an 8-bit invasion in Pixels. A love letter to classic video games. What happens when the iconic characters of 8-bit video games come to life? Chaos, nostalgia, and a pixelated apocalypse! In Pixels, a cloud of vibrant pixels escapes from an old TV and wreaks havoc on New York City. Space Invaders dive-bomb streets, turning taxis into pixelated debris. Pac-Man chomps his way through subway entrances, while Tetris blocks rain down on skyscrapers, causing whole floors to vanish. Arkanoid balls dismantle the Brooklyn Bridge brick by brick, Donkey Kong unleashes havoc, and Frogger hops away in a desperate bid for survival. Eventually, the pixel invasion overtakes the entire globe, transforming Earth into a retro gaming-inspired cube in space. Directed by Patrick Jean, Pixels is a masterful blend of live-action and computer animation, inspired by the video games and arcades of Jean’s childhood. Shot in just two days on location in New York, the short film draws visual cues from classics like Roger Rabbit and Ghostbusters. Originally conceived as a music video, Pixels evolved into a viral sensation upon its release on Dailymotion in April 2010, racking up over a million views within 24 hours and doubling that in less than a week. Pixels also found success on the festival circuit, becoming a staple at short and animated film events. Its massive popularity ultimately inspired a 2015 feature film adaptation, bringing its pixelated mayhem to audiences worldwide. Whether you’re a gamer or a cinephile, Pixels is a playful and visually stunning tribute to the golden age of video games.