No one could have ever imagined that there would be a sequel to Finding Nemo. And yet, 13 years after the film’s release, we are getting one. But Finding Dory isn’t exactly the kind of film you’d expect to see, especially in a sequel. If anything, the film can stand on its own, and you don’t even need to watch Nemo to know what is going on in Dory. In it, we see that Dory is able to recall a once long-lost memory of her parents, and sets out on a journey with Marlin (Albert Brooks) and Nemo (Hayden Rolence). Together, they swim across the Pacific to an aquarium sanctuary, where Dory meets some old friends and makes some new ones too. But there is a real heartfelt message that may hit close to home for some. Remember, Dory suffers from short-term memory loss, and she sees that as a debilitating weight that can frustrate and worry those around her. But her optimism and upbeat personality, plus living by the “just keep swimming” mantra, gives her the spirit she needs to carry on and look for new ways to do things in her own way.

We were recently invited to sit down with a group of journalists to talk the to cast and directors of the film to talk about that message and how it really isn’t meant for one specific group of people but something that is more universal.

Check out what they had to say after the jump.

Finding Dory
Director: Andrew Stanton
Screenwriter: Andrew Stanton and Victoria Strouse
Cast: Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, Hayden Rolence, Diane Keaton, Eugene Levy, Kaitlin Olsen, and Ed O’Neill
Distributor: Walt Disney Studios
Rated PG | 103 Minutes
Release Date: June 17th, 2016

Sequels are no longer a rarity over at Pixar. While most of their films do not necessarily warrant one, they have proven that they do not make sequels just to cash in. It’s through years (approximately four) of research and perfecting the script that they can give us something that is more than satisfying than we could ever expect. So imagine our surprise when it was announced that Pixar would be following up Finding Nemo, 13 years later no less, with Finding Dory, a heartwarming and touching film that has a truly powerful message.

Our full review below (spoilers!).

DisneyӢPixar has released a couple of new clips from their Finding Nemo sequel, Finding Dory.

In the first clip we see Dory (Ellen DeGeneres), Marlin (Albert Brooks), and Nemo (Hayden Rolence) taking a familiar ride sometime during their new adventure. In the second clip, Dory meets a new friend named Hank (Ed O’Neill) at a marine institute.

Click on over to the other side to check out both clips now!

Disney has just released the latest trailer for Finding Dory from director Andrew Stanton who also directed Finding Nemo. Marlin (Albert Brooks) and his son Nemo (now voiced by Hayden Rolence) return, but instead of them trying to find each other, the film will turn its attention to everyone’s favorite forgetful fish, Dory (Ellen DeGeneres).

Our title character embarks on a journey to find her parents. As they swim across the Pacific Ocean, they will swim into familiar ocean critters, make some new friends, and we will find out how Dory got short-term memory loss and how she got separated from her parents. Check out the latest trailer for the film below.

As beautifully animated as Finding Nemo was, the real star of the show was Dory (voice of Ellen DeGeneres), a regal blue tang fish whose memory lasted as long as she could swim. The character provided the humor in a story about a father searching for his son. But the film didn’t really explore how Dory ended up in Australian waters or how she became so forgetful. Flash forward to 2016, and we are getting a sequel called Finding Dory.

Disney”¢Pixar has just released a new trailer for the film that takes a look at Dory’s journey across the pacific in search for her family. Along the way we see familiar faces, meet new friends, and learn that aquatic animals don’t like to be poked or prodded by human fingers. Check out the full trailer below.