A Disney film starring the company's first ever animated character has been rediscovered after laying hidden for almost 90 years.
The long-lost film, Sleigh Bells, was made in 1928 and features the first ever Disney character, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, a long-eared forerunner to Mickey Mouse.
The exciting discovery was made by a researcher browsing the online database of the British Film Institute's archive.
Walt Disney Animation Studios used the rediscovered print - thought to be the sole survivor from the 87-year-old film - to make a new master print and digital copies of Sleigh Bells.
A fully restored version of the six-minute animation will be shown next month in London as part of a Christmas programme including other Disney shorts from the 1930s to the present day.
The BFI said "a number of other (Oswald) films do survive but Sleigh Bells has been, until now, a lost film, unseen since its original release," adding that the character was loved for "his mischievous and rebellious personality".
Robin Baker, head curator of the BFI National Archive, said: “What a joyful treat to discover a long-lost Walt Disney film in the BFI National Archive and to be able to show Sleigh Bells to a whole new audience 87 years after it was made.
"The restoration of this film will introduce many audiences to Disney’s work in the silent period – it clearly demonstrates the vitality and imagination of his animation at a key point in his early career.
"We thank Disney for working with us and are thrilled to present the world premiere of this restored version here in London at BFI Southbank.”
Andrew Millstein, president of Walt Disney Animation Studios, which oversaw the restoration, added: “We’re thrilled to be collaborating with the BFI National Archives in the restoration of the ‘lost’ Oswald short, Sleigh Bells, and to be sharing this delightful animated discovery with audiences in the UK as part of this special Disney holiday programme.
"The Oswald shorts are an important part of our Studios’ history, and we have been working with film archives and private collectors all around the world to research the missing titles."
