Pixar’s ‘Elemental’ to close Cannes festival

CANNES, AFP: 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 27 May, 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 honour to have Pixar back on La Croisette,” Pixar Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter, said in a statement. Cannes Director Thierry Fremaux said the film encourages viewers “to think about our lives in such a powerful way”.