‘Wolfwalkers,’ First Apple Animated Feature, To Premiere At TIFF

Wolfwalkers, Apple’s first original animated feature (and yes, that feels just as odd to type as it probably does to read), will world premiere as part of the official selection of the 45th Toronto International Film Festival.

Wolfwalkers is the fourth feature from Ireland’s Cartoon Saloon, and the studio’s third film directed by Tomm Moore, who previously helmed the Oscar-nominated The Secret of Kells and Song of the Sea. Ross Stewart joins Moore as a co-director on Wolfwalkers, while Luxembourg’s Melusine Productions co-produced the film.

Per the official synopsis, Wolfwalkers follows Robyn Goodfellowe, a young apprentice hunter who journeys to Ireland with her father in a time of superstition and magic to wipe out the last wolf pack. While exploring the forbidden lands outside the city walls, Robyn befriends a free-spirited girl, Mebh, a member of a mysterious tribe rumored to have the ability to transform into wolves by night. As they search for Mebh’s missing mother, Robyn uncovers a secret that draws her further into the enchanted world of the Wolfwalkers and risks turning into the very thing her father is tasked to destroy.

Toronto has a rich history of supporting Cartoon Saloon; the festival world premiered the studio’s last two features: Song of the Sea and Nora Twomey’s The Breadwinner. Wolfwalkers won’t be the only Apple Original at Toronto this year either; the festival will also premiere Werner Herzog and Clive Oppenheimer’s Fireball: Visitors From Darker Worlds on opening night.

Wolfwalkers will stream around the world on Apple TV+ following a theatrical run, for which Apple announced plans today. Gkids will serve as the theatrical distribution partner in North America. Wildcard will serve as the theatrical distributor for the film in Ireland and the U.K., Child Film will serve as the theatrical distribution partner in Japan, Haut et Court holds the theatrical distribution rights to the film in France, and Value & Power Culture Communications holds rights for China.