dailyloe.com – Zoe Saldaña has joined the cast of the animated feature Julián, collaborating with Oscar-nominated filmmaker Louise Bagnall. The project is backed by Cartoon Saloon and is set to debut at the Annecy Festival.
According to Variety, Saldaña will take on a voice role and serve as an executive producer. She will work alongside her sisters, Cisely and Mariel Saldaña, under their banner Cinestar Pictures.
Cartoon Saloon leads the project, collaborating with Melusine Studio, Aircraft Pictures, and Sun Creature. Julián is scheduled for its world premiere at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in June 2026.
New Europe Film Sales will manage international distribution, while CAA Media Finance will handle U.S. sales. The film follows a seven-year-old boy spending summer with his grandmother in Brooklyn.
Influenced by her storytelling, the boy dreams of being a mermaid. The story shifts between his daily life and a fantasy underwater world.
Julián is adapted from the bestselling picture book Julián Is a Mermaid, which has seen widespread sales globally. This feature marks the directorial debut of Louise Bagnall, known for her Academy Award-nominated short work.
The production utilizes hand-drawn animation, with teams from Ireland, Luxembourg, Denmark, and Canada involved. Saldaña expressed her excitement, saying, “Cisely, Mariel, and I were deeply moved by the story of ‘Julián’ and its gentle, powerful message about self-expression and acceptance.”
