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Neon has assembled a powerhouse English-language voice cast for its upcoming animated feature Arco, tapping Will Ferrell, America Ferrera, Flea, Natalie Portman, Mark Ruffalo, and Andy Samberg. The film is set to make its English-language world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in the Centerpiece section on September 7, ahead of its U.S. theatrical release on November 14.
Arco is already making waves internationally, having won both the Cristal Award for Best Feature Film and the Soundtrack Award at the prestigious Annecy International Animation Film Festival. The debut feature from filmmaker Ugo Bienvenu, the story follows a 10-year-old boy from a peaceful, distant future who unexpectedly travels back to the year 2075. There, he discovers a world facing environmental and societal peril.
As Arco struggles to return home, he forges a heartfelt bond with Iris, a young girl navigating this troubled future, and her loyal robot caretaker Mikki. Together, the trio embarks on a journey that not only seeks to return Arco to his rightful time but also may determine the fate of the planet itself. The film blends themes of friendship, courage, and responsibility with a timely message about safeguarding the Earth’s future.
Produced by Bienvenu and Félix de Givry under the Remembers banner, Arco also counts Portman and Sophie Mas of mountainA among its producers, marking Portman’s continued expansion into filmmaking and production.
The film arrives on the heels of Neon’s impressive streak of festival acquisitions and awards. The company picked up Arco out of the Cannes Film Festival, where it made headlines for securing its sixth consecutive Palme d’Or winner with Jafar Panahi’s It Was Just an Accident. Neon also landed Oliver Laxe’s Jury Prize-winning Sirât, The Secret Agent from Best Director winner Kleber Mendonça Filho (starring Best Actor winner Wagner Moura), and the thriller Exit 8.
Neon’s festival presence remains strong across the board. At the upcoming Venice Film Festival, the distributor will premiere Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice. At TIFF, in addition to unveiling Arco, Neon will present a number of titles in Official Selection, including The Secret Agent, It Was Just an Accident, Sirât, Sentimental Value, and Nirvana the Band the Show the Movie.
With its stellar cast, visionary direction, and award-winning pedigree, Arco is positioning itself as one of the year’s most anticipated animated releases. The film’s blend of emotional storytelling and urgent ecological themes suggests it will resonate with audiences of all ages when it arrives in theaters this November.
