CANNES, April 20 — The latest Pixar film, Elemental, will get its world premiere as the closing film of the Cannes Film Festival next month, the organisers announced yesterday.

The new animation — set in Element City where residents made from fire, air and water live together — will screen out of competition on May 27, 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,” Pete Docter, Pixar’s chief creative officer, said in a statement.

Cannes director Thierry Fremaux said the film encourages viewers "to think about our lives in such a powerful way”. — AFP