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.
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