The latest Pixar film, “Elemental”, will get its world premiere as the closing film of the Cannes Film Festival next month, the organisers announced on Wednesday.
The new animation — set in Element City where residents made from fire, air and water live together — will screen out of competition on May 27, ahead of a staggered release around the world in June.
It is the fourth Pixar film selected to premiere at Cannes, following “Up” in 2009 — the first animated film ever selected as the festival’s opening film — as well as “Inside Out” in 2015 and “Soul” in 2020 (though that edition was ultimately cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic).
“As we all emerge from our pandemic cocoons and come together in story rooms, animation dailies and impromptu brainstorming sessions, it’s a joy and honor to have Pixar back on La Croisette,” Pete Docter, Pixar’s chief creative officer, said in a statement.
Cannes director Thierry Fremaux said the film encourages viewers “to think about our lives in such a powerful way”.