Whimsical

Whimsical is a 1997 American animated Christmas Fantasy short film directed by Jimmy T Murakami and Roger Allers. It was nominated for best Animated Short Film at the 1998 academy awards, but lost to Bunny.

SYNOPSIS
"In this animated ballet, viewers will see and witness the wonders and magic of the whimsical and philosophical side of Christmas and Winter, in this silent, emotional, role reversed and more artistic and impressionist inspiration of famous Christmas themed theatre including the Nutcracker ballet. Featuring not only original scores by Michael Giacchino, but even famous orchestral scores from world famous composer Tchaikovsky."

In North Dakota, an unnamed teenage ballet dancer in training is celebrating Christmas with his grandparents. He used to adore celebrating the holidays, but after the tragic death of his parents on Christmas Eve began to feel a bitter sorrow against the holiday and sometimes others in general, and pushes away people to practice dancing and be alone. Just before bed just one day shy before Christmas, he is gifted "The Spirit Of Christmas". A small nutcracker princess. Though the boy does hold some adoration for the doll, he is somber by this gift and angry as it still tries to make him of Christmas "Like it's laughing at him." Later into the night, the boy is taken away by a snowstorm that transports him into a whimsical world overcome by grief and darkness, the main cause being an evil entity simply named "The King.". The only way to stop the king and reverse his spell is by partnering with the exiled princess/knight of her old kingdom and venture into many other grief strucken lands.