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Laika’s Wildwood Selected as AFI Fest 2026 Opening Film
Wildwood is a new animated movie made with stop-motion puppets.
Laika made the movie, and Travis Knight directed it.
It follows a girl named Prue whose baby brother is taken by crows.
Prue and her classmate Curtis travel into a magical forest to rescue him.
The movie will first be shown around the world at the London Film Festival on October 11.
Its first showing in the United States will be at AFI Fest on October 21.
It will then open in theaters on October 23 through Fathom Entertainment.
AFI Fest will take place from October 21 to October 25 in Los Angeles.
The American Film Institute selected Laika’s Wildwood as AFI Fest 2026’s opening-night film.
The film will have its U.S. premiere on October 21 at the TCL Chinese Theatres.
Wildwood will world-premiere October 11 at the London Film Festival and open theatrically October 23 through Fathom Entertainment.
Travis Knight directed the stop-motion feature, written by Chris Butler from Colin Meloy’s novel.
AFI Fest’s 40th edition runs October 21-25, with its full lineup scheduled for release September 29.
- Who
- The American Film Institute selected Laika’s Wildwood, directed by Travis Knight and written by Chris Butler.
- What
- Wildwood will open AFI Fest 2026 and receive its U.S. premiere during the festival.
- Where
- The screening will take place at the TCL Chinese Theatres.
- When
- The U.S. premiere is scheduled for October 21, 2026; the festival runs October 21-25.
- Why
- The American Film Institute said it chose the film to celebrate its hand-crafted and imaginative qualities.
Key facts
- Film
- Wildwood
- Opening-night screening
- October 21, 2026
- World premiere
- October 11 at the London Film Festival
- Theatrical release
- October 23 through Fathom Entertainment
- Festival
- The 40th annual AFI Fest
- Festival dates
- October 21-25, 2026
- Full lineup announcement
- September 29
Quotes
Bob Gazzale
President and CEO of the American Film Institute
“AFI is honored to celebrate Wildwood as the Opening Night Film of the 40th annual AFI Fest. At a time when the world needs artistic inspiration more than ever, Wildwood comes to the rescue by inviting audiences to a hand-crafted, endlessly imaginative world that both dazzles and delights.”
deadline.com
Sources
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