Wildwood Will Close Animation Is Film Festival
The stop-motion film will screen at the Geffen Theater in Los Angeles on October 19, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Animation
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The Animation Is Film Festival has selected the stop-motion feature Wildwood to serve as its closing night film on October 19, 2026. Following the screening at the Geffen Theater, directors Travis Knight and Jason Reitman will participate in a featured conversation.
Why it matters
This selection highlights a major milestone for a project that faced a lengthy 15-year production cycle. The film serves as an adaptation of the 2011 novel by Colin Meloy and is set for a wide theatrical release shortly after the festival appearance.
The production of Wildwood spanned 15 years to complete, adapting the original 2011 novel by Colin Meloy. Fathom Entertainment is handling the film's distribution within the United States.
The players
Travis Knight
He is a filmmaker and animator known for his contributions to the stop-motion studio Laika.
Jason Reitman
He is a prominent director and producer recognized for his work on numerous feature films.
Fathom Entertainment
This organization is responsible for distributing the film throughout the United States.
FilmNation Entertainment
This company is managing the international distribution rights for the motion picture.
The details
The film utilizes a stop-motion animation style to bring the story to life. Internationally, FilmNation Entertainment is managing the distribution of the movie.
Timeline
The novel Wildwood was originally published in 2011.
The Animation Is Film Festival runs from October 16 to October 19, 2026.
Wildwood screens at the Geffen Theater on October 19, 2026.
The film opens in theaters on October 23, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The Animation Is Film Festival continues to serve as a critical venue for independent and major studio animation to gain critical prestige. This screening aligns with a broader trend of leveraging festival circuits to generate buzz for long-gestating stop-motion projects.
Los Angeles residents can attend the closing night event at the Geffen Theater on October 19. General audiences will be able to purchase tickets for the film's wide theatrical release starting on October 23.
The takeaway
The selection of this film highlights the endurance required for complex stop-motion projects in modern cinema. Viewers interested in the craft should note the upcoming October 23 release date to experience the work in local theaters.
What happens next
Wildwood is scheduled to open in theaters on October 23, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Animation at the festival.
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