Pixar Unveils New Original Film Gatto Following Indie Hit Flow’s Oscar Win

After Flow, the groundbreaking wordless animation by Latvian filmmaker Gints Zilbalodis, clinched the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, the industry took note. It was the first time a truly independent animated film outshined animation giants like Pixar and DreamWorks—Flow even beat Inside Out 2, which had just become the highest-grossing animated movie of all time.

Now, Pixar seems ready to meet the demand for more original animated storytelling. At the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, the studio officially announced Gatto, an upcoming feline-focused feature helmed by Luca director Enrico Casarosa. Set for release in 2027, Gatto will combine hand-painted animation— a first for Pixar— with its signature CG techniques.

Set in Venice, Gatto follows a black cat named Nero as he navigates the city's superstitions, canals, and a debt owed to a local feline mob boss. According to the logline, Nero begins to question his many lives and forms an unlikely friendship that could help him discover his true purpose—unless the city of Venice swallows him whole. Adding to the intrigue, the film will feature a strong musical component, with jazz influences hinted at during the Annecy reveal.

While Pixar continues to invest heavily in sequels—Toy Story 5, Coco 2, and The Incredibles 3 are all in development—original projects like Gatto and the upcoming sci-fi adventure Elio suggest a renewed interest in fresh, innovative storytelling. With Flow’s Oscar win shaking up the animation landscape, Gatto could signal a bold new era for Pixar—and animation fans are purring with excitement.