Pixar’s films have been amazing examples of storytelling through film, regardless of animation or live-action, throughout the studios history. Once brought into the fold of the Disney Co. that ability gained access to the heritage and history of the Disney Co. while retaining the magic that has sprung forth from Pixar Studios.

62nd Annual Festival

d23_launch_photo_03aIt has just been announced that the premiere film for the 62nd Annual Cannes Film Festival will be the newest film from Disney-Pixar, UP. Up takes audiences on a thrilling journey where the unlikely pair of Carl and Russell encounter wild terrain, enexpected villains and jungle creatures.

Press Release

UP, produced under John Lasseter’s supervision, will be the Opening Ceremony film of the 62nd Festival de Cannes, a World Premiere in Disney Digital 3-D on Wednesday May 13th, 2009.

UP, a comedy adventure in which 78-year-old Carl Fredricksen fulfils his dream of a great adventure when he ties thousands of balloons to his house and flies away to the wilds of South America, only to discover that he has brought with him his biggest nightmare, a 9-year-old Wilderness Explorer stowaway.

UP is directed by Pete Docter, director of MONSTERS, INC. who also developed the story and characters for TOY STORY, Pixar’s first full length animated feature film, for which he also served as supervising animator. He served as a storyboard artist on A BUG’S LIFE, and wrote the initial story treatment for TOY STORY 2. The film is co-directed by Bob Peterson, also a screenwriter and author of FINDING NEMO.

John Lasseter is Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios and Oscar-winning director or producer of TOY STORY, TOY STORY 2, A BUG’S LIFE, MONSTERS, INC., THE INCREDIBLES, FINDING NEMO, CARS, RATATOUILLE and WALL-E.

This is the first time that an animation film, in 3-D, will be the Opening Ceremony film at the Festival de Cannes.

Animations distinguished by their participation in the Official Selection are, DUMBO (1947), THE FANTASTIC PLANET (1973), FRITZ THE CAT (1974), SHREK (2001), THE TRIPLETS OF BELLEVILLE (2003), SHREK 2 (2004), OVER THE HEDGE (2006), KUNG-FU PANDA (2008) and WALTZ WITH BASHIR (2008)

Release Date

UP will be in theaters this coming May 29, 2009.

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