First Haircut!, a new independent animated short film written and directed by Ivo Kos (The Matrix, Ratatouille) and co-produced with The Monk Studios, has been officially selected for its World Premiere at the 2026 Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF).
Inspired by classic cartoons, the six-minute short follows an anxious puppy on her first trip to the grooming salon, where she avoids the groomer’s efforts to cut her hair at all costs. Despite its slapstick comedic tone, the story explores themes of fear management and overcoming anxiety.
An independent co-op production, the project brought together a group of artists across the U.S. and Thailand. Among an array of 3D pipeline tools, the film utilizes the latest advancements in Pixar’s RenderMan technology.
A massive special thanks to Ivo and the entire crew across both teams who poured their time, craft, and talent into making this film possible.
Follow the Project
For behind-the-scenes artwork, development stills, and festival updates, visit the official Instagram page at @firsthaircut.film.
