Pixar Animation Studios pulled back the curtain on its exciting future slate at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, offering exclusive first looks and announcing a brand-new original feature. The presentation, spearheaded by Pixar chief creative officer Pete Docter, gave attendees deep dives into highly anticipated projects, including fresh details on Toy Story 5 and the official announcement of Gatto, alongside previews of Hoopers and extended footage from the upcoming Elio.
Toy Story 5: Toy Meets Tech
One of the biggest reveals was an exclusive first look at Toy Story 5. Set for release on June 19, 2026, the fifth installment in Pixar’s flagship franchise is directed by Andrew Stanton (marking his directorial debut for the franchise) and McKenna Harris, and produced by Jessica Choi.
Fans can rejoice as franchise veterans Tom Hanks and Tim Allen are confirmed to return as Woody and Buzz Lightyear, respectively, alongside Joan Cusack as Jessie. The film will also introduce new voices, with Ernie Hudson stepping into the role of Combat Carl, previously voiced by the late Carl Weathers, and Conan O’Brien joining the cast as Smarty Pants.
Docter teased the film’s core theme, summarizing it as “Toy meets Tech.” The plot will see the beloved group of original toys navigating the challenges of a digitally-focused world. Their primary concern? Their 8-year-old owner, Bonnie Anderson, and her new favorite plaything: a sneaky and prickly frog-themed tech tablet named Lily Pad. Lily Pad believes Bonnie should socialize and move beyond traditional toys, creating a direct competition for Bonnie’s attention.
The story will initially follow Jessie overseeing Bonnie’s room after Woody’s departure in Toy Story 4. However, Woody will be called back to help, leading to a reunion with his old friends, though his relationship with Buzz may have shifted, as they “don’t always see eye to eye” after time apart.
Attendees at Annecy were treated to the world premiere of the film’s opening scene. It shows a container full of Buzz Lightyears washing ashore on an isolated desert island. The many Buzzes awaken and immediately work to reclaim their allegiance to “star command” before constructing a makeshift raft. In celebration of the franchise’s 30th anniversary, archival footage from the making of the original 1995 Toy Story was also shared.
Introducing Gatto: A Venetian Feline Tale
Adding a fresh title to Pixar’s upcoming slate, Docter announced a brand-new original animated feature titled Gatto, scheduled to premiere in the summer of 2027. Directed by Enrico Casarosa, known for helming the charming Italy-set film Luca, Gatto will also draw inspiration from Italian culture, this time set in the picturesque city of Venice.
The film follows Nero, a water-hating black cat, who forms an unlikely friendship with Maya, a lonely street musician. Their bond leads Nero to become entangled with a local feline mob. Docter gave a sneak peek at early animation tests and character drawings, highlighting that Gatto will feature a distinctive visual style. It aims for a “painterly texture” that blends Pixar’s typical depth with a unique aesthetic designed to make Venice feel like a “living painting.”
Hoopers and Elio: More Exciting Horizons
The Annecy presentation also provided updates on other anticipated Pixar films:
Hoopers: A first-look clip was debuted for this original comedy, directed and written by Daniel Chong (We Bare Bears). Set for release on March 6, 2026, the story centers on Mabel (voiced by Piper Curda), a young nature enthusiast. To protect local woodlands from a highway planned by Mayor Jerry (Jon Hamm), Mabel uses an “underground and dodgy” scientific method to transfer her mind into a robotic beaver. Described by Docter as a “cuter” version of Avatar, the surreal experience allows Mabel to try and convince animals displaced by industrialization at a pond (led by King George, voiced by Bobby Moynihan) to join her fight. Footage shown included beaver-Mabel arriving at the pond and encountering a “very laid back” beaver.
Elio: Attendees were treated to a substantial 25 minutes of footage from this science fiction adventure, which premiered earlier in the week in Los Angeles. Directed by Madeline Sharafian and Domee Shi and produced by Mary Alice Drumm, Elio is set to hit theaters on June 20, 2025. The film follows 11-year-old Elio Solis (voiced by Yonas Kibreab) who is mistakenly identified as Earth’s ambassador after being abducted by aliens. The voice cast includes Zoe Saldaña, Remy Edgerly, Brad Garrett, Jameela Jamil, and Shirley Henderson.
The Annecy festival served as a major platform for Pixar to showcase a diverse lineup that balances beloved returning franchises with exciting new original stories, offering a glimpse into the studio’s creative direction for the coming years.
References
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