Arriate Studio and ¡Viva Calavera! Release Samhain Teaser
The co-production team unveils a first look at their upcoming animated feature based on a 2024 graphic novel.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Animation
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Arriate Studio and ¡Viva Calavera! have released the teaser trailer for their upcoming animated film, Samhain. The project follows characters Mika, Miko, and Frigo as they discover a mysterious crashed sleigh.
Why it matters
This production represents a significant milestone as the first feature film project for Arriate Studio. By blending 2D and 3D animation, the creators aim to bring the unique narrative structure of the original graphic novel to a broader international audience.
The original graphic novel by Lobón Leal spans 308 pages, while the final animated feature is slated for a 90-minute runtime. ¡Viva Calavera! brings experience to the partnership, having been founded in 2014.
The players
Arriate Studio
An animation house based in Chiclana de la Frontera, Cádiz, that is developing its first feature project.
¡Viva Calavera!
A Mexican animation studio founded in 2014 that is co-producing the project.
Lobón Leal
The author of the 2024 graphic novel who is co-directing the film adaptation.
María Luquero
The filmmaker serving as a co-director on the upcoming Samhain project.
Global Music Branding
The music production company responsible for composing the score for the film's teaser trailer.
The details
Co-directed by Lobón Leal and María Luquero, the film adapts the 2024 graphic novel written by Leal. The animation production incorporates both 2D and 3D techniques to explore a narrative heavily influenced by folklore and fairy tales.
Timeline
¡Viva Calavera! was established as a studio in 2014.
Lobón Leal authored the source graphic novel in 2024.
The teaser trailer for the film was released on October 31, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The project follows the ongoing trend of combining 2D and 3D animation styles to create a unique visual language in modern cinema. This approach marks a strategic evolution for the co-producing studios as they seek to differentiate their work within the competitive global animation market.
Fans of the original graphic novel can now view the teaser online to see the visual direction of the upcoming adaptation. The film will eventually offer audiences a 90-minute experience, with further details regarding theatrical or streaming availability expected to follow.
The takeaway
Animation studios continue to lean on established graphic novels to anchor new feature projects. Audiences can look forward to seeing how these folklore-inspired stories translate from the page to a hybrid animated format.
Further reading
Explore more industry news in the Animation section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Cartoon Brew.
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