Although the Whistler Film Festival is not super well known for debuts of animated features, this year caught my attention with three animated works. Whether there’ll be enough snowfall to get in some skiing depends on conditions, but for those wanting an early preview of what’s making the art house screening run, these three films stand out. It’s safe to say Hosoda’s Scarlet is coming in hot after its home country debut (Nov 21, 2025). There will be a full theatrical distribution. Please see below for further information.
Arco
Saturday, December 6 3:15pm
Rainbow Theatre
In the year 2075, 10-year-old Iris lives a quiet life with her robot caretaker, Mikki, while her parents are consumed by their research. Her world changes when a mysterious boy named Arco, dressed in a rainbow-coloured suit, falls from the sky. Arco is a time traveller from a distant, utopian future, accidentally sent to Iris’s time. Together, they embark on an adventure to help Arco return home, all while evading those who seek to exploit his origins.
Drawing inspiration from the works of Moebius and Hayao Miyazaki, this French film written and directed by Ugo Bienvenu offers a poignant exploration of friendship, hope, and the resilience of the human spirit. In order to qualify for Oscar nomination, there was a limited release in early November. A wider release is expected in early 2026.
Scarlet
Sunday, December 7 1:00pm
Maury Young Arts Centre
From Academy Award–nominated director Mamoru Hosoda (Mirai, Belle, The Boy and The Beast) comes Scarlet, an epic, emotionally charged fantasy about vengeance, forgiveness, and the courage to choose compassion in a world ruled by war and loss.
In this medieval world, after her father is murdered in a brutal coup, Princess Scarlet is cast into exile. Consumed by grief and fury, she vows to reclaim her kingdom and avenge her family. But her journey takes an unexpected turn when she is pulled into the Otherworld, a strange realm that connects the living and the dead. After taking a cue from A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, she meets a boy from modern-day Tokyo, and together, they must face the truth behind her father’s death and a destiny that could rewrite both their worlds.
After this early presentation, this film is slated for wider distribution by Sony Pictures beginning Feb 7, 2026.
The Lost Tiger
Saturday, December 6 10:15am
Rainbow Theatre
Deep in the wilds of Australia, a one-of-a-kind tiger cub is about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime. Meet Teo, a mischievous young thylacine (a rare “Tasmanian tiger” thought to be extinct) who’s been raised by a big-hearted family of wrestling kangaroos. Life in the outback is full of laughs, leaps, and chaos… until mysterious dreams call Teo toward a place he’s never been — and a past he’s never known.
With only a glowing crystal necklace to guide him, Teo sets off on an epic journey to uncover where he comes from and what he’s meant to be. Along the way, he meets unforgettable friends, outsmarts bumbling treasure hunters, and discovers that family isn’t just who raises you but also who stands by you when the world feels wild.
The first animated feature written and directed by an Indigenous woman (Chantelle Murray), The Lost Tiger is a heartwarming, action-packed adventure filled with laughter, courage, and stunning Australian landscapes. Perfect for kids, parents, and anyone who’s ever felt a little lost, this is a story about finding your place and roaring proudly once you do.
Whistler Film Festival Celebrates!
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