Disney+ will premiere Disney Animation’s Songs in Sign Language on April 27, aligning with National Deaf History Month. The special features three popular musical sequences from recent Walt Disney Animation Studios films, reimagined and performed in American Sign Language (ASL).
The lineup includes “The Next Right Thing” from Frozen 2, “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” from Encanto, and “Beyond” from Moana 2. Directed by veteran Disney animator Hyrum Osmond, the project was developed in collaboration with Deaf West Theatre, a Tony Award-winning company known for its innovative work in Deaf performance.
Rather than directly translating lyrics word-for-word, the creative team focused on conveying emotion and meaning through ASL, resulting in newly crafted animation tailored to the language. More than 20 animators contributed to the project, working closely with Deaf performers and sign language specialists to ensure authenticity and artistic integrity.
A behind-the-scenes featurette will also accompany the release, offering insight into the creative process and collaboration with the Deaf community.
Osmond, whose father is Deaf, described the project as both personal and impactful, highlighting how animation can help bridge communication gaps and foster deeper connections.
While this initiative uses American Sign Language (ASL), it highlights the broader importance of sign language representation in media. It would be equally valuable to see similar projects developed in Auslan, ensuring accessibility and cultural relevance for Deaf audiences in Australia.
For more information, please read the Walt Disney’s Company article on Songs in Sign Language.