Multi-award-winning Frozen head of animation Lino DiSalvo returns to the director’s chair with Twisted, an original animated feature produced by leading European animation studio Mediawan Kids & Family (Miraculous – The Movie, The Little Prince, A Magnificent Life) and repped internationally by Sola Media (sola-media.com).
The CG-animated feature, which kicked off production earlier this month, will debut first-look footage at the Cannes Film Market (May 13–25). Twisted is slated for Q1 2027 delivery, with Le Pacte handling French distribution; France 3 Cinéma and Paramount+ France have also boarded the project.
“In a challenging time for animation, we’re proud to make Twisted in France, a country that continues to inspire with its world-renowned community of talented artists and the support of daring partners committed to help bring compelling, original stories like Twisted to life,” said the film’s producer, Emmanuel Jacomet of Mediawan Kids & Family.
Solveig Langeland, Managing Director at Sola Media, added, “Buyers at Cannes can expect a visually rich, emotionally resonant journey with universal appeal. Twisted hits that perfect sweet spot between humor, heart and high-concept family storytelling.”
Set in a picturesque Italian alpine village, Twisted follows Angelina, a teen who accidentally derails her town’s beloved festival and unleashes a swarm of mischievous magical creatures — each born from a lie she tells to cover her tracks. To restore order, she must journey across Italy with the Badalisc, a reluctant truth-telling folklore creature, in a heart-filled comedy-adventure about identity, community and self-acceptance.
“This story has lived in my heart for years — a wild, emotional, personal story inspired by an Italian festival that celebrates a truth-telling monster and the beautiful chaos of family and heritage,” says DiSalvo (Frozen, Tangled). “We can always debate if we should lie or tell the truth to someone and Angelina goes on this journey of realizing you shouldn’t lie to yourself. We’re officially in production with an insanely talented, passionate team. I couldn’t be more excited — and proud — to finally bring this to life.”
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