Olaf's true origins revealed in Disney + short film "Once upon a time there was a snowman"

What happened to Olaf moments after Elsa created him as she "let go" and built her ice palace, and when Anna and Kristoff first met him in the forest? And how did Olaf learn to love summer? The unprecedented origins of Olaf, the innocent and insightful snowman, summer lover who melted hearts in the 2013 Oscar-winning Disney animated film Frozen and its acclaimed 2019 sequel, are revealed in Walt Disney Animation Studios' brand new animated short, Once upon a time there was a snowman.

The film follows Olaf's first steps as he comes to life and searches for his identity in the snow-capped mountains outside Arendelle. Once upon a time there was a snowman is directed by Trent Correy (animation supervisor, “Olaf” in Frozen 2) to Dan abraham (veteran story artist who embarked on Olaf's “When I Am Older” musical sequence in Frozen 2) and produced by Nicole Hearon (associate producer, Frozen 2 and Oceania - Moana) with Peter Del Vecho (producer, Frozen 2, Frozen and the upcoming Raya and the last dragon). Olaf is voiced by the award-winning actor Josh Gad.

“This is an idea that started to take shape when I was an animator on the first Frozen,” Correy said. "Dan Abraham and I are so grateful and thrilled to have had the opportunity to direct this short film, working with our amazing colleagues at Walt Disney Animation Studios."

“Josh Gad gives one of the great animated vocal performances like Olaf through the Frozen movie, ”Abraham said. "Having the opportunity to work with him in the recording booth was a privilege and a career highlight."

Once upon a time there was a snowman debuts exclusively on Disney + on October 23.