July 6, 2012 - 15:39 AMT
“The Simpsons” debuts “The Longest Daycare” theatrical short

As the series' 24th season quickly approaches, Fox announces a new 3D short to be played in front of "Ice Age: Continental Drift," The Hollywood Reporter said.

Since 2009, The Simpsons has been the longest-running primetime series in television history – but the show’s creators are now interested in setting a new benchmark.

Directed by David Silverman, a new short entitled “The Longest Daycare” is set to premiere in front of Ice Age: Continental Drift when the sequel opens nationwide on July 13.

Simpsons creator Matt Groening recently told Entertainment Weekly that the short was designed as a thank you to fans: "[The staff] just wanted to do this as a way of saying, 'We appreciate how much people have stayed with the show and watched it for 25 years'."

Fox released a teaser trailer Tuesday for the short film, which was produced in 3D.