Laika's Animated 'Wildwood' to Premiere at AFI Fest
The stop-motion studio's latest feature will open the 40th AFI Fest on October 21, marking its U.S. premiere. Directed by Travis Knight, the film follows a girl named Prue who enters a forbidden forest to save her brother. The voice cast includes Peyton Elizabeth Lee and Jacob Tremblay.
The 40th AFI Fest, presented by Canva, will open with this feature on October 21st, marking its first U.S. screening. The event serves as a major platform for the Portland-based studio's newest release.
The story follows Prue, voiced by Peyton Elizabeth Lee, who joins her classmate Curtis, voiced by Jacob Tremblay, on a mission to retrieve her taken sibling. Their search leads them into a mysterious forest near Portland, where they meet speaking creatures, outlaws, and other powerful entities. Travis Knight handles both directing and producing duties for the project.
The film's prominent festival placement could elevate its visibility among awards voters and cinephiles, potentially boosting its commercial appeal upon wider release. It may also reinforce public appreciation for stop-motion animation, a labor-intensive art form that faces competition from digital studios. Families seeking distinctive storytelling could be drawn to this premiere, which might influence future programming choices for similar independent animated features.