Well, it was back out to the desert for me again! This time, for the inaugural Palm Springs International Animation Film Festival. Animation has always had a special place in my heart. I've loved animated films since I was a little kid. I can remember clearly all the different Pixar movies I saw growing up, like Toy Story, The Incredibles, Monster's Inc., and so many more. Animation is different from live action because it can transport us to worlds that are only able to be realized through animation. Many people think of animated films as just for kids or fun for the whole family. While those are the vast majority of types of animated films released, there are many more that tackle much more adult subjects. But, of the films I saw at this festival, they were almost entirely family friendly, and it was great to see so many parents taking their children to these screenings. With that said, here are some of my highlights: Taking the Plunge is a short f