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The final trailer for “Arco,” one of the main contenders for the Best Animated Feature film at the Oscars this year, has arrived.

Directed by first-time feature filmmaker Ugo Bienvenu and produced by Natalie Portman, “Arco” is a French film that takes visual inspiration from Studio Ghibli, with a blend between hand-drawn and CG animation. The trailer, soundtracked by a lilting piano melody, reveals the basic premise of the film, which focuses on a young boy named Arco from a distant and peaceful future, where humans live in the sky and use rainbow suits to fly through the air.

When he disobeys his parents and goes on a flight by himself, Arco winds up in the slightly more contemporary world of 2075, where humanity still lives on the ground, but has robots and other advanced technology and is contending with encroaching threats of climate change. There, he meets a girl named Iris, and sets out on a journey to find a way back to his own time.

“Arco” made its world premiere at the 78th Cannes Film Festival in May, where it played in the festival’s Special Screenings section. The movie received positive reviews from critics out of the festival; writing for IndieWire, Christian Blauvelt gave the film a “B-” and called it an “emotional sci-fi epic.” The film additionally won the Cristal Award for Best Feature Film at the 2025 Annecy Film Festival, and also played at the Animation is Film Festival in Los Angeles.

For its American release, the film will screen with an English dub that first premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September. Child actors Romy Fay and Juliano Valdi voice Iris and Arco in the English version, while additional cast members include Portman, Will Ferrell, America Ferrera, Flea, Mark Ruffalo, and Andy Samberg. The original French version of the film included several prominent French film stars including Swann Arlaud of “Anatomy of a Fall” and Louis Garrel from “Little Women.”

Neon will release “Arco” in select theaters in New York and Los Angeles on Friday, November 14. Watch the trailer for the film below.

Sean Penn, Julia Roberts, and John and Nancy Ross hosted a screening of Marianna Brennand’s debut film “Manas” on Saturday in Los Angeles.

The film, one of those vying to be the Oscar contender for Brazil, was introduced by Roberts and Penn, who serves as an executive producer. The screening was followed by a Q&A with Brennand, the film’s director, writer and producer, and its star, Dira Paes.

Sean Penn and Julia Roberts with Marianna Brennand at the Los Angeles screening
Courtesy of Phil Faraone, Getty Images

Roberts told the audience: “I am so excited for what’s about to happen to everyone in this room because it happened to me and it will change you. This movie is life-affirming in such a sad and beautiful and magical way.”

Building on that sentiment, Penn reflected on the first time he encountered Brennand, recalling: “At the Cannes Film Festival this year, there was a Kering Foundation dinner, and a woman came up to the stage to accept the Emerging Talent Award. She gave a speech, and the authenticity of this person was the kind of power that could only make a great film.”

Julia Roberts with Marianna Brennand and Sean Penn at the Los Angeles screening
Courtesy of Phil Faraone, Getty Images

Brennand expressed her gratitude to her hosts: “Thank you, Sean, for seeing us, for recognizing the power of this story, and for speaking out… And Julia, thank you for empowering us with your presence here today. You both are immensely amplifying our voices.”

The film was born out of 10 years of research in the Amazon by Brennand, who began her career as a documentarian. It tells the story of Marcielle (Jamilli Correa), a 13-year-old from Marajó Island. Silenced in a society that ignores violence against women and children, she “confronts generational wounds and takes control of her destiny, forever altering her family’s fate,” according to a statement.

“Manas” won Brennand the best director award at Venice Days, the independent parallel section of the Venice Film Festival, and has collected a total 27 awards to date. The Brazilian film is one of six titles shortlisted to represent the country at the 2026 Academy Awards, with Penn, Academy Award winner Walter Salles, two-time Palme d’Or winners Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne, and “I’m Still Here” producer Maria Carlota Bruno serving as executive producers.

On his decision to join as executive producer, Penn previously stated: “In the tradition last fulfilled by Walter Salles’s ‘I’m Still Here,’ Marianna Brennand’s film ‘Manas’ continues Brazil’s most enduring cinematic legacy. Films of striking social relevance that never fall to polemic or sensationalism, but instead so trustingly fulfill their characters’ plight and courage. ‘Manas’ is deeply emotional, stirring, and God forbid… important. I felt as if I had to put my skin back on after watching it.”

Contender

Neon Releases French Animated Feature Oscar Contender

Julia Roberts, Sean Penn Host Screening for Oscar Contender ‘Manas’