How ‘Eventized’ Screenings, ‘Coraline’s’ 4K Re-Release, And Annecy’s Platform Helped Shape Laika’s Plans For ‘Wildwood’

Laika’s Annecy presentation last week marked the public debut of substantial footage from Wildwood, a hugely popular exhibition of props and sets from the film, and the inclusion of studio head and director Travis Knight’s handprints on the festival’s Wall of Fame. But for the Oregon studio, Annecy has long represented something much larger than a temporary showcase for its work and an opportunity to network.

According to chief marketing and operations officer David Burke, Annecy has become central to Laika’s approach to introducing new work, celebrating its artists, and reinforcing the studio’s broader identity at a moment when handcrafted animation is competing for attention in an increasingly automated entertainment ecosystem.

“This year is particularly meaningful because it’s much bigger than a screening,” Burke told Cartoon Brew. “It’s Travis Knight’s first appearance at the festival, we’re presenting exclusive footage from the film, and we’re opening Wildwood: Discovering a Handmade World at the new Cité internationale du cinéma d’animation.”

The exhibition, which runs through September in the festival’s breathtaking new year-round facilities, showcases puppets, sets, and production materials from Wildwood, offering visitors an unusually detailed look at what Burke calls “the most ambitious world Laika has ever created.”

“For us, it feels like the beginning of Wildwood‘s journey into the world and an opportunity to celebrate the artists and makers whose work brings these stories to life.”

That emphasis on the artists behind the work also explains why Annecy has grown in importance for the studio over the past decade.

“Annecy has evolved into one of the most important platforms in the world for celebrating animation as an art form,” Burke said. “What makes it unique is that filmmakers, artists, exhibitors, distributors, journalists and fans are all part of the same conversation.”

For Laika, whose films routinely spend four to five years in production, that environment aligns closely with the studio’s philosophy.

“We’re passionate advocates for human-made cinema,” Burke said. “At a time when much of the industry’s attention is focused on automation and algorithms, Annecy remains a place that celebrates artistry, craftsmanship and creative risk-taking.”

While Laika was focusing on Wildwood, it still found ways to stay closely involved with Annecy over the years. The studio made a habit of using the French festival to launch remastered versions of fan favorites ahead of theatrical rereleases that generated tens of millions of dollars.

“The enthusiasm we’ve seen around Coraline and ParaNorman reinforces our belief that great animated films can have long cultural lives and that theatrical exhibition remains a powerful way for audiences to experience them together.”

Those long lives have become an increasingly significant part of Laika’s business.

Following the extraordinary success of Coraline‘s theatrical re-release, the studio has steadily expanded its repertory strategy through event screenings with Fathom Entertainment. Burke said those releases are valuable for reasons that extend well beyond box office revenue.

“Our library has become an increasingly important strategic asset, but not simply because of the revenue it generates,” he explained.

“The real value is that these films continue to build community around the Laika brand. Every successful re-release introduces the work to a new generation while giving longtime fans a reason to reconnect with it in a theatrical setting.”

The response to Coraline in particular reshaped the studio’s thinking about its catalog.

“The extraordinary success of Coraline demonstrated that audiences still want premium theatrical experiences around beloved films, especially when there is something new or special attached to the event,” Burke said. “That success gave us confidence to continue investing in our catalog and thinking creatively about how these films can live beyond their initial release.”

Those screenings also helped Laika develop its partnership with Fathom ahead of Wildwood‘s October release. A milestone moment for both companies.

“Together we’ve learned a great deal about how to create eventized theatrical experiences that motivate audiences to leave home and come to the cinema,” Burke said. “Those learnings are invaluable as we prepare for the release of Wildwood.”

Still, Burke rejects the idea that the studio’s re-releases exist primarily to build momentum for whatever comes next.

“I don’t view the re-releases as simply a bridge to the next film,” he said. “They are an important part of Laika’s mission in their own right.”

“We put years of our lives into making these movies, and finding new ways to share them with audiences is something we’re deeply committed to. The fact that those efforts have strengthened our partnership with Fathom and created a stronger platform for Wildwood is a very welcome benefit.”