Laika’s ‘Wildwood’ Set to Open AFI Film Fest — SkimNews
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- Laika's "Wildwood" will open the 40th AFI Fest, presented by Canva, on Oct. 21, also serving as the film's U.S. premiere.
- Travis Knight directed and produced "Wildwood" as the latest animated feature from Portland-based Laika, saying he carried the story for 16 years and that hundreds of artists built the film "slowly, painstakingly."
- The plot follows Prue (voiced by Peyton Elizabeth Lee) and her classmate Curtis (Jacob Tremblay) on a rescue mission into a forbidden forest outside Portland to save Prue's baby brother from a murder of crows.
- The voice cast also features Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali, Angela Bassett, Awkwafina, Jake Johnson, Charlie Day, Amandla Stenberg, Jemaine Clement, Maya Erskine, Tantoo Cardinal, Tom Waits, and Richard E. Grant.
- AFI President and CEO Bob Gazzale called the film "handcrafted" and "endlessly imaginative," framing it as artistic inspiration "at a time when the world needs" it.
- The 40th AFI Fest runs Oct. 21–25 with red carpet premieres, world cinema, documentaries, and short films; last year's edition included "Bugonia," "Jay Kelly," and "The Testament of Ann Lee."
Why it matters: The AFI Fest opening-night slot puts a film Travis Knight spent 16 years developing on a major festival stage alongside 14 named voice actors. The Oct. 21–25 festival marks the film's U.S. premiere and anchors the 40th edition's lineup on a handcrafted animated feature rather than a conventional franchise tentpole.
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