EFF: Arco

Arco

Australian Premiere

“A wonderful and powerful coming-of-age story […] captured in magical 2D animation, pop and bewitching, marking the emergence of a filmmaker born under some very lucky stars.” – Cineuropa

Arco is a 10-year-old boy from a distant future who’s desperate to fly and time travel like his parents and older sister can, but he has to wait until he turns 12 – that’s the rule. One night, he sneaks out, borrows his sister’s rainbow robe and tries flying, hoping to visit the time of the dinosaurs. His debut voyage is a total disaster and he crash-lands into the year 2075, where a young girl named Iris discovers him in the forest near her home. Arco and Iris strike up an immediate friendship, and, with the assistance of Iris’s trusted robot caretaker Mikki, they try everything they can to help Arco return home.

This enchanted prismatic adventure is the debut feature of Ugo Bienvenu, a lovingly hand-drawn animation whose imagined future is hopeful and optimistic but doesn’t ignore the potential impacts of technology and climate change on our planet. Produced by Natalie Portman and winner of the top prize at the prestigious Annecy Animation Film Festival, this touching family story is about bravery, imagination and the powerful bond of friendship.

Festivals & Awards

Golden Globes 2026 – Nominee, Best Motion Picture - Animated
National Board of Review – Winner, Best Animated Feature
European Film Awards 2026 – Winner, Best European Animated Film 
Cannes Film Festival 2025 – Nominee, Golden Camera Award
Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2025 – Winner, Cristal Award for Best Feature
Locarno Film Festival 2025 – Official Selection
Toronto International Film Festival 2025 – Official Selection

Rating

PG

Duration

89 min

Country

France

Language

French (English subtitles)

Cast

Margot Ringard Oldra, Swann Arlaud, Oscar Tresanini, Vincent Macaigne, Louis Garrel, William Lebghil, Alma Jodorowsky

Director

Ugo Bienvenu

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