Pixar's 'Up' to open the Cannes Film Festival

Pixar's 'Up'

Credit: Pixar

"Up," Pixar's latest animated effort, will open this summer's Cannes Film Festival.

Festival organizers announced Thursday (March 19) that the family film -- already dubbed Pixar's "Gran Torino" by HitFix -- will have its world premiere in Disney Digital 3-D on Wednesday, May 13, 2009.

This will be the first time that a 3-D animated film has ever opened the prestigious Festival.

"Up" is directed by Pete Docter and co-directed by "Finding Nemo" screenwriter Bob Peterson. It focuses on 78-year-old Carl, who ties thousands of balloons to his house and takes off for an adventure in South America. What the curmudgeon isn't counting on is a 9-year-old stowaway.

"Up" will be released in the United States on Friday, May 29 and it remains to be seen if, in addition to opening the Festival, it will also land a place in this year's competition.

Cannes has never had any problems acknowledging animated films, dating back to "Dumbo" in 1947. Recent animated entries in the Official Selection include "The Triplets of Belleville," "Shrek 2" and last year's "Kung Fu Panda" and "Waltz with Bashir."

See pictures from "Up." 

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Daniel Fienberg
Executive Editor

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A long-time member of the TCA Board and a longer-time blogger of "American Idol," Dan Fienberg writes about TV, except for when he writes about movies or sometimes writes about the Red Sox. But never music. He would sound stupid talking about music.