Discover how T-Mobile 5G and network slicing revolutionized “Lilo & Stitch” production, enabling high-speed footage transmission from Hawaii to Burbank.
Since first announcing their partnership in 2022, T-Mobile and Disney Studios StudioLAB have collaborated to push the boundaries of how 5G-connected technology can enhance storytelling. Soon, millions will see the results come to life on the big screen when Disney’s “Lilo & Stitch” lands in theaters May 23. Using T-Mobile 5G, crews seamlessly transported cinema-quality scenes from the upcoming live-action film straight from Hawaii sets to producers in Burbank, Calif., in near real time, unlocking significant improvements in the production process.
T-Mobile
Network slicing is opening even more possibilities, allowing filmmakers to transmit large amounts of high-resolution footage at ultra-fast speeds from nearly anywhere in the country to editors and directors wherever they are located. “When we shoot at any location, we have an expectation that we can get that footage back to Burbank right away,” said Josh Haynie, VP of Production Technology, The Walt Disney Studios. “Our mission at the studio lab is to manufacture more time for the filmmaker and these solutions from T-Mobile help us achieve those goals.”
With T-Mobile’s nationwide 5G standalone network, filmmakers can get high speeds and ultra-low latency through network slicing, private networks and connected high-speed encoders. This leads to faster location scouting, easier set striking, and a more efficient production process. It also reduces expensive delays or miles of wired connections.
Filming of “Lilo & Stitch”
For the filming of Lilo & Stitch, production crews knew they could rely on T-Mobile’s high-bandwidth, low-latency connectivity to securely transmit footage. This footage went from location to studio while collaborating and communicating with remote teams at various locations. The stable, high-speed connection meant that crews could focus on making magic and avoid building expensive, time-consuming hard-wired infrastructure.
“Until now, capturing content typically came with the burden of hard-wired connections, but T-Mobile’s 5G network is changing that through our partnership with Disney Studios StudioLAB,” said Mo Katibeh, chief marketing officer, T-Mobile Business Group. “T-Mobile 5G and network slicing give production teams the ability to explore new, unique perspectives and film at locations that were previously unavailable. From remote filming locations in Hawaii to congested studio networks, T-Mobile 5G is reshaping the way video content can be captured.”
Today, T-Mobile is also launching a campaign featuring Stitch, celebrating the film and its groundbreaking production process before it opens in theaters on May 23. For more information on how T-Mobile 5G can unlock your content creation, visit t-mobile.com/now.
“Lilo & Stitch”
“Lilo & Stitch,” the wildly funny and touching story of a lonely Hawaiian girl and the fugitive alien who helps to mend her broken family, will open exclusively in theaters May 23, 2025. A live-action reimagining of Disney’s 2002 animated classic, “Lilo & Stitch” is directed by Dean Fleischer Camp, the Oscar-nominated filmmaker behind the animated feature film “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On,” and stars Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Billy Magnussen, Tia Carrere, Hannah Waddingham, Chris Sanders, with Courtney B. Vance, and Zach Galifianakis, and introducing Maia Kealoha.
The screenplay is by Chris Kekaniokalani Bright and Mike Van Waes, and the film is produced by Jonathan Eirich, p.g.a., and Dan Lin, with Tom Peitzman, Ryan Halprin, Louie Provost, and Thomas Schumacher serving as executive producers.
In more Stitch news, RealFX Disney Stitch Puppetronic won this year’s “Toy of the Year” award. This happened at the 25th Anniversary Toy of the Year® (TOTY®) Awards. For more theme park-related news and information, visit MSM News.
Ready for your bucket list trip? Our trusted partner, MEI-Travel, will handle the planning so you can focus on the memories. They offer free vacation planning services and have nearly 20 years of experience creating memorable vacations.
Contact for a fee-free, no-obligation quote today.
