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Being home for a new, fresh take on the legacy of one of the most iconic children’s shows of the 21st century is no small feat, but Colombia was ready to take on the challenge when it came to Paramount+’s “Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado.”

Shot in Colombia over 53 days between July and September of last year, with production services provided by leading local company Tis Studios, Alberto Belli’s “Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado” employed 401 Colombians as part of the crew. The film also had Colombian actors as key members of the cast, including Maria Cecilia Botero as Abuela, Oscar Rodriguez as Tio Nico, Valentina Acosta as Maria Elena and George Slebi as Papa Cole.

Created in 2000 by Chris Gifford, Valerie Walsh Valdes and Eric Weiner — and produced by Nickelodeon Animation Studio — “Dora the Explorer” famously broke the fourth wall to include children...

Disney is known for tugging at heartstrings. It's a major reason why so many of the studio's films have persevered over the decades. So many people remember watching these movies as kids and learning about the tragedy of death or connecting a little too closely to a family in disarray. Many Disney films, and by extention Pixar Animation productions, take place in fantastical worlds, but they don't sugarcoat harsh realities.

Fortunately, the saddest Disney movies don't really get on the level of something like "Manchester by the Sea," where it becomes unbearable to watch at a certain point. Disney films at least end on an uplifting note, proving that no matter how sad life gets, there's always a silver lining. Still, the following movies can be tough to get through, especially if you're at a point in life where you can really relate to losing a parent or going through a pet's death.

Encanto is still waiting for its sequel, as despite its success, a new installment has yet to be officially announced by Disney. However, John Leguizamo has hinted that Encanto 2 may be closer to happening than fans might realize.

Leguizamo discussed the possible sequel in a new interview with People at the opening night for the Buena Vista Social Club. He shared how he's just as eager as the fans to see Encanto get a sequel, though he has the advantage of knowing the decision makers. Leguizamo teased that he's been personally badging the Encanto team about getting progress moving on a follow-up film, sharing a promising update on the movie finally happening.

"I'm also waiting for an Encanto 2 when all we do is talk about Bruno," Leguizamo quipped, referring to "We Don't Talk About Bruno," the popular song featured in the film. "I'm calling them everyday saying 'When is number two coming?...

When people decide that they want to start a family, it is often said that it takes a village to make it happen. Luckily, for the Madrigal family from Walt Disney Pictures' global phenomenon "Encanto," there is a small village living in their casita (or "little house" in Spanish) to help each other with anything that may arise. But for those of us who don't live in the Madrigals' idyllic Colombian town, it may be difficult to keep track of each magical member of the family.

In the opening number of the acclaimed animated feature titled "The Family Madrigal," musical juggernaut Lin-Manuel Miranda of "Hamilton" and "Moana" fame did his best to outline the different branches that make up the family tree. The song, inspired by "Belle" from the 1991 classic "Beauty and the Beast," follows Mirabel (voiced by Stephanie Beatriz) as she introduces the audience to each member of the...

While a lot of filmmakers are focused on making the next cult classic, kids' movies are still a massive part of this lucrative industry. Not only do they allow children to soar off into an imaginary world, but these films are a great resource for teaching them about empathy and growth. Thus, without them, fans wouldn't have the same respect and admiration for the film world.

Yet, since 2020, fans have noticed that kids' films are getting sadder and sadder. Whether it's the death of a beloved character or a broken dream, these films manage to tug on the heartstrings of children and adults alike. However, audiences appreciate these films as they don't make an effort to pander or talk down to their immature audiences.

A Little Girl Encounters a Magical House Encanto

Set in the mountains of Columbia, Encanto introduces audiences to the enigmatic Madrigal family. Their home, Casa Madrigal,...

Mirabel's lack of a gift in Encanto motivates her to help her family and ultimately leads to her becoming the future leader. A fan theory suggests that Mirabel's gift is her intelligence, which she already possessed before the movie began. The true gift of Mirabel's presence and her ability to solve problems without supernatural powers is a key theme in Encanto.

Why Mirabel didn't get a gift in Encanto is one of the biggest questions left by the hit 2021 Disney movie. However, though it appears that Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz) doesn't get a gift, the film's opening song may have actually revealed it. While Mirabel's family members all get magical gifts from a miracle Abuela Alma (María Cecilia Botero) received the night her husband died, Mirabel doesn't, and the lack of powers strains her relationship with Alma. Of course, Mirabel's lack of a gift ultimately motivates her to help her family when their magical house,...

The scene between Mirabel and Antonio under the bed in Encanto is simple yet impressive, with animator Dave Hardin making the character's movements appear natural. While some scenes in Encanto may be more visually spectacular, the quieter moments like Mirabel's conversation with Antonio should not be overlooked. The attention to detail in the animation of Encanto, even in subtler moments, demonstrates the skill and effort involved in creating the movie's visuals.

VFX artists explain what makes a subtle Encanto scene one of the movie's most impressive. The animated film tracks the efforts of 15-year-old Mirabel Madrigal to save her family when the source of their magic suddenly begins to disappear. Encanto's popularity grew following its Disney+ release, and since then, the movie has been praised for its story, depicting a multigenerational household, as well as its soundtrack. The cast of Encanto includes Stephanie Beatriz, María Cecilia Botero, John Leguizamo,...

Mirabel's lack of a magical gift in Encanto doesn't define her worth or importance. She becomes the gift herself by bringing her family together and restoring Casita's magic. While there are theories about Mirabel's hidden gift, the movie emphasizes that her intelligence and problem-solving abilities are her true gift. She doesn't need external magic to make a difference. The focus of Encanto is on self-acceptance and finding one's true purpose. Mirabel's journey shows that having or not having a specific power doesn't determine someone's worth or role in the family.

Though Encanto makes it look like Mirabel gets snubbed during her gift ceremony in Casita, the character may have secretly had a gift all along. So, what is Mirabel's gift in Encanto? Mirabel Madrigal (Stephanie Beatriz) isn't like the rest of her family in Encanto. The Madrigals all get magical gifts to help the family and their village in the film.

Encanto fans can expect the franchise to expand, although there hasn't been an official announcement for a sequel or spinoff. Yvette Merino, the producer of Encanto, mentioned that they are exploring different ways to keep the world of Encanto alive, including the possibility of attractions at Disney Parks. Encanto could also expand through publishing and consumer products, as the team is collaborating with partners to ensure the franchise stays alive.

Fans of Disney's Encanto can most likely expect the franchise to be expanded at some point in the future. Encanto is an animated family film that stars Stephanie Beatriz as Mirabel, María Cecilia Botero as Abuela Alma, John Leguizamo as Bruno, Mauro Castillo as Félix, Jess Darrow as Luisa, Angie Cepeda as Julieta, Carolina Gaitan as Pepa, Diane Guerrero as Isabela, Wilmer Valderrama as Agustín, Rhenzy Feliz as Camilo, Ravi Cabot-Conyers as Antonio, Adassa as Dolories, and Maluma as Mariano.

Encanto became a success story for Disney and although there have been hints of the possibility of a sequel, nothing has been confirmed yet.

In a recent interview, producer Yvett Merino hinted that Disney is working on ways to “expand across the company.”

“There’s different—we’re working closely with our friends in publishing and consumer products to make sure—there’s always different ideas and needs and wants for, for it to stay alive out there,” Merino said in an interview with The Direct. “But I don’t have anything official to say, but I love the ‘Encanto’ world and can’t wait to see it expand across the company.”

Although Merino didn’t delve into the idea of a direct sequel to the animated film, she did say that the parent company wants to keep the world of Encanto alive.

“I think we will continue to work on what that actually means.

Stephanie Beatriz expressed her excitement about the possibility of reprising her role in an Encanto sequel and praised the incredible team behind the film. Beatriz shared her love for Disney and her willingness to continue working with them, as fans eagerly await news about a potential sequel. Despite no official word on a sequel, Disney CEO Bob Iger previously referred to Encanto as a "Disney franchise," highlighting its potential for further storytelling.

While chatting with TheWrap in an interview conducted prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike, star Stephanie Beatriz discussed her new Peacock series Twisted Metal and shared her thoughts on the possibility of a Encanto sequel, revealing that she "love" the chance to reprise her Disney character.

Encanto is an animated family film starring Beatriz as Mirabel, María Cecilia Botero as Abuela Alma, John Leguizamo as Bruno, Mauro Castillo as Félix, Jess Darrow as Luisa, Angie Cepeda as Julieta,...

Stephanie Beatriz, the voice actor for Maribel in Encanto, expressed her interest in a sequel and her positive experience working on the film. Despite a somewhat underwhelming box office performance, Encanto thrived on Disney+ and gained popularity with its soundtrack and positive reception. With the potential for new events, settings, and songs, fans are eagerly anticipating a sequel and if the original cast and creators will be involved.

Encanto 2 gets an update from Maribel voice actor Stephanie Beatriz, who expresses her hopes for a sequel. The Disney animated movie, directed by Jared Bush and Byron Howard, is centered around the Madrigals, a multigenerational Colombian family with special abilities. Beatriz voiced the 15-year-old Mirabel, who decides to investigate what happened when her family suddenly lost their magic, despite not being gifted any powers of her own. In addition to Beatriz, the Encanto cast includes María Cecilia Botero, John Leguizamo, Jessica Darrow,...

Since “Encanto” made its theatrical and streaming debut in 2021, fans have been wondering whether Disney would give the film the sequel treatment – and its star Stephanie Beatriz has expressed her openness to the possibility should the opportunity arise.

“I would love to work with them again. That team on that film was so incredible to work with that. I think a lot of [Jared Bush and Byron Howard’s] time right now is being taken up by other stuff,” she told TheWrap during an interview conducted before the SAG-AFTRA strike about her new Peacock series “Twisted Metal.” “I know Jared and I think Bryon too are working on the second ‘Zootopia’ right now. But I would love to work with them again.”

She noted that she is a “huge” Disney fan.

“I go to the parks a lot and whenever people recognize me they ask about that too.

In Encanto, Mirabel is the only Madrigal child who doesn't get powers, and several fan theories guess the actual reason why. In Disney's Encanto, Alma Madrigal (María Cecilia Botero) receives a magical gift after her husband Pedro sacrifices himself to save her and his village from intruders. The sacrifice manifests into an enchanted candle, a magical house, and the family members getting special powers to help the community. However, Mirabel Madrigal (Stephanie Beatriz), one of Alma's grandchildren, doesn't get a gift, which causes a strain in the pair's relationship. Of course, it's Mirabel's lack of gifts that drives her to help her family in the end.

Though Mirabel doesn't get powers, the rest of her family has an assortment of gifts. Mirabel's sister Luisa (Jessica Darrow) has super strength, and her cousin Camilo (Rhenzy Feliz) can shapeshift into other people. Even Mirabel's mysterious Uncle Bruno (John Leguizamo) can predict the future.

Mankind Entertainment feature starring Ana Villafane, James Franco is in post.

Mankind Entertainment has hired music producer, composer and songwriter Carlos José Alvarez to score Castro’s Daughter, which UTA Independent Film Group’s Alex Brunner represents for worldwide sales and has begun talks with buyers heading into the Cannes market.

As previously announced Ana Villafane plays the lead role opposite James Franco as Castro. The project shot on location in Colombia doubling for Castro-era Havana and is in post. Global sales talks continue with an eye towards having the film ready for Venice and Toronto.

Miguel Bardem directs the...

Mankind Entertainment feature starring Ana Villafane, James Franco is in post.

Latin Grammy-winning music producer Carlos José Alvarez has been hired by Mankind Entertainment to score Castro’s Daughter, which UTA Independent Film Group’s Alex Brunner represents for worldwide sales and has begun talks with buyers heading into the Cannes market.

As previously announced Ana Villafane plays the lead role opposite James Franco as Castro. The project shot on location in Colombia doubling for Castro-era Havana and is in post. Global sales talks continue with an eye towards having the film ready for Venice and Toronto.

Miguel Bardem directs...

The biggest mystery in Disney’s Encanto is why Mirabel didn't get a gift, and a theory suggests it’s all due to Abuela's previous mistakes. Years ago, while fleeing from an armed conflict in Colombia, Alma Madrigal a.k.a. Abuela (María Cecilia Botero) lost her husband and was left alone with her baby triplets. Through an unexplained miracle, Alma's candle attained magical qualities, keeping them safe from their pursuers and building a sentient house — Casita — for them. Since then, the candle has burned and protected Casita, the family, and the whole town, while also granting special gifts to each Madrigal descendant, except for Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz).

Being the only one without a gift made Mirabel feel left out of the family and led her to discover many family secrets, especially those about her mysterious uncle Bruno (John Leguizamo). Surprisingly, Mirabel wasn't granted a gift like those...

A talented cosplayer perfectly captures Encanto's Isabela Madrigal and her incredible gifts over nature. Isabela is a key character in Disney's 2021 animated hit film that centers on a Colombian family gifted with wonderful powers, with Diane Guerrero providing the voice for the eldest sibling of protagonist Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz). Possessing the power to make flowers bloom anywhere, Isabela is seen as the "perfect" daughter of her family, much to Mirabel's annoyance, but hides her own insecurities that she keeps to herself.

In a post shared to Reddit's r/Cosplay subreddit, Medhavi321 shared four images of her Encanto cosplay, depicting Isabela and how she appears during the early acts of Encanto.

[Self] Isabela cosplay from Encanto from cosplay

Across all photos, Medhavi321 recreates poses that perfectly capture Isabela's personality from across Encanto, including her graceful mastery over nature as she tends to a number of blooming flowers, as well as her...

Encanto director Jared Bush teases that the Madrigal family could be even bigger than audiences have seen so far. Encanto tells the story of the Madrigals, a Colombian family where each member has their own magical power. The lone figure without a unique ability is Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz), the family's youngest daughter and the main protagonist of the film. Mirabel's lack of a supernatural gift leads her on a journey that sees her unveil hidden mysteries about her family's history.

On his Twitter account, Bush took questions from fans, gave insight into some of Encanto's biggest moments, and fueled additional speculation about the mystery-riddled family. During the Q&a, the director was asked if there are more members of the family that fans have not yet seen on screen. Bush teased that Alma (María Cecilia Botero), the matriarch of the Madrigals and overseer of the family's magic, might have other sisters and brothers.

Encanto director Jared Bush explains why the vision cave in Bruno Madrigal's Casita room collapsed following Mirabel Madigal's visit in a recent Twitter response. John Leguizamo starred as the Madrigal family member gifted with the power to see into the future in Disney's 2021 animated hit. In Encanto, the seemingly ordinary Mirabel Madrigal (Stephanie Beatriz) embarks on a quest to discover why the magic that helped create her family's enchanted home and gifted them with spectacular powers has suddenly begun to decline, setting her on a journey that sees her delving deeper into the lives and histories of her loved ones to find the answers she seeks.

Through his Twitter account, Bush held a Q&a session and offered solutions to Encanto's potential plot holes, during which he was asked why Bruno's vision cave collapsed once Mirabel discovered his final vision. In response, the director stated that he saw the sequence...

James Franco’s casting as Fidel Castro in the upcoming period piece “Alina of Cuba: La Hija Rebelde” has caused major backlash, but the Oscar nominee has one important supporter: Castro’s daughter, Alina Fernández.

“James Franco has an obvious physical resemblance with Fidel Castro, besides his skills and charisma,” Fernández told Deadline of the “This Is the End” star portraying her Communist leader father.

“The project is almost entirely Latino, both in front and behind the camera,” Fernández added, citing Franco’s Portuguese heritage. “I find the selection of the cast amazing. The filmmakers worked a lot and I can’t be more grateful to them for their overall inclusive selection.”

For “Alina of Cuba,” Fernández will be played by Ana Villafañe, with Mía Maestro starring as Natalia “Naty” Revuelta, the socialite whom Castro had an affair with, resulting in the birth of Fernández.

The film, directed by Miguel Bardem...

Exclusive: Fidel Castro’s daughter, Alina Fernández, has emphasized to Deadline her endorsement of James Franco playing her Cuban leader revolutionary father in the upcoming independent feature, Alina of Cuba.

She is also proud that “the project is almost entirely Latino, both in front and behind the camera.”

“James Franco has an obvious physical resemblance with Fidel Castro, besides his skills and charisma,” said Fernández about the 127 Hours Oscar nominated actor of Portuguese heritage.

Fernández will be played in Alina of Cuba by Ana Villafañe.

Deadline told you first that Franco would play Castro, Villafañe as Fernández and Mía Maestro as her mother Natalia “Naty” Revuelta, the Cuban-born socialite who El Comandante has a passionate love affair with. The movie which is directed by Miguel Bardem and scripted by Oscar-nominated scribe Jose Rivera (The Motorcycle Diaries) and Pulitzer Prize winner Nilo Cruz, follows the true story of Cuban exile-turned-social advocate Fernandez,...

Click here to read the full article.

Following criticisms by John Leguizamo of James Franco’s casting as Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro in the independent film Alina of Cuba, producer John Martinez O’Felan has responded, calling the comments “culturally uneducated.”

Set to be directed by Miguel Bardem and based on a script written by Jose Rivera and Nilo Cruz, Franco stars opposite Mía Maestro, who portrays Natalia “Naty” Revuelta, a Cuban-born socialite with whom Castro becomes romantically entwined. The film is based on the true-life story of Alina Fernandez — played by Ana Villafañe — a Cuban exile turned social advocate who learns at age 10 that she is Castro’s daughter.

Leguizamo, a Colombian American actor who wrote and performed the Broadway production Latin History for Morons, took to Instagram on Friday to slam the decision to cast Franco, questioning why Hollywood is “excluding” the Latinx community and notes that a film...

John Leguizamo took to Instagram to speak out against the recent casting of James Franco as Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro in the upcoming independent film, “Alina of Cuba.” Variety confirmed Franco’s casting on Aug. 4. “Alina of Cuba” is directed by Miguel Bardem, based on a script written by Jose Rivera and Nilo Cruz.

“How is this still going on?” Leguizamo asked his Instagram followers about Franco being cast as the Cuban historical figure. “How is Hollywood excluding us but stealing our narratives as well? No more appropriation Hollywood and streamers! Boycott! This F’d up! Plus seriously difficult story to tell without aggrandizement, which would be wrong! I don’t got a [problem] with Franco but he ain’t Latino!”

“Alina of Cuba” is slated to begin production on Aug. 15, with the crew shooting in Colombia. Franco will star opposite Ana Villafañe, who portrays the title character Alina Fernandez, Castro’s daughter.

James Franco has landed the role of Fidel Castro in “Alina of Cuba,” an independent film about the Cuban revolutionary’s daughter, Alina Fernandez.

The project is the latest of multiple live-action films the actor has recently signed on to, ending the hiatus he took following accusations of sexual misconduct 2018 and 2019. Last month, he booked a leading role in post-World War II drama “Me, You” with Tom Hollander and Daisy Jacob.

Starring Ana Villafañe as Fernandez, “Alina of Cuba” recounts the true story of her exile from Cuba and eventual turn to social advocacy. As previously announced, Mía Maestro will play Natalia “Naty” Revuelta, the Cuban socialite whose affair with Castro resulted in the birth of their daughter.

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James Franco Addresses Sexual Misconduct Accusations, Admits Sleeping With Students in His Acting School (Video)

Fernandez, who learned of her father’s identity at age 10, eventually became one of his most outspoken critics.

James Franco has been cast as Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro in the independent film “Alina of Cuba,” Variety has confirmed.

Franco joins the previously announced Ana Villafañe, who portrays the title character Alina Fernandez, Castro’s daughter. In addition, Mía Maestro has also joined the cast as Alina’s mother Natalia Revuelta, the Cuban socialite who gave birth to her after an affair with Castro. The film will follow Alina’s life as Castro’s illegitimate daughter and a critic of his reign in Cuba before leaving the country and defecting to Spain in 1993. Franco’s casting was supported by the real life Fernandez, who is serving the production as an on-set creative and biographical consultant.

Franco’s casting comes less than a month after the announcement that the actor will appear in the post-war drama “Me, You” from British director Billie August. The films represent a return for Franco...

Exclusive: Oscar nominee and 2x Golden Globe winner James Franco will play Cuban leader Fidel Castro in Miguel Bardem’s Aline of Cuba with Imagen Award winner Mía Maestro set to play Natalia “Naty” Revuelta, the Cuban-born socialite he has a passionate love affair with.

They join previously announced actress Ana Villafañe who is portraying Alina Fernandez aka Castro’s Daughter. The screenplay from Oscar-nominated scribe Jose Rivera (The Motorcycle Diaries) and Pulitzer Prize winner Nilo Cruz, follows the true-life story of Cuban exile turned social advocate, Fernandez, whose birth was the result of the tryst between Revuelta and Castro. Revuelta sacrificed her and her physician husband’s personal belongings and finances to help fund the start of the communist revolution. Fernandez learned that she was Fidel Castro’s daughter at the age of 10 when after years of secret visits to her home, her mother finally revealed that “El Comandante” was her biological father.

Encanto won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature tonight, beating out Flee, The Mitchells vs. the Machines, and two other Disney animated features, Luca and Raya and the Last Dragon.

This is Jared Bush and Yvett Merino’s first Oscar nomination and win, as well as the second win and third nomination for both Byron Howard and Clark Spencer. Howard and Spencer won for Best Animated Feature in 2017 for Zootopia.

“I am so proud to be a part of a film that puts beautiful diverse characters front and center,” says Merino, “and that people everywhere are seeing themselves in the film.”

Directed by Jared Bush and Byron Howard, and co-directed by Charise Castro Smith, this Disney musical animated film features original songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Encanto takes place in a magical town sheltered by mountains. As she is fleeing from her home, Alma Madrigal (María Cecilia Botero) loses her husband...

Composer Germaine Franco has already made Oscar history with “Encanto” as the first Latina and woman from Disney feature animation to be nominated in the original score category. She’s also broken with tradition by bringing magical realism to the Disney animated musical, holding her own against four veteran composers: Hans Zimmer (“Dune”), Jonny Greenwood (“The Power of the Dog”), Alberto Iglesias (“Parallel Mothers”), and Nicholas Britell (“Don’t Look Up”).

After being recruited by Lin-Manuel Miranda, who musically spearheaded “Encanto” with his eight songs (including the Oscar-nominated “Dos Oruguitas” and the record-breaking “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”), Franco immediately started thinking about Colombia and its vibrant musical traditions, the magical Madrigal family and their enchanted village, and the plucky Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz), whose quirky ordinariness makes her feel like an outsider.

“What I did was spend time with [directors] Byron [Howard] and Jared [Bush] to discuss how to apply magical realism from literature to the score,...

Director Byron Howard joined producer Yvett Merino and composer Germaine Franco on a panel at Deadline’s Contenders Film: The Nominees event to discuss Encanto, the Disney movie that is nominated for three Oscars.

Encanto takes place in a magical town sheltered by mountains in Colombia. As she is fleeing from her home, Alma Madrigal (María Cecilia Botero) loses her husband and prays for a miracle to save her three children. The candle she was holding becomes magical and builds an “encanto” around the refugees, blasts away the invaders, and builds a sentient house for her family to live in. The candle gave magical gifts to Alma’s family for 50 years, until her granddaughter Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz) mysteriously receives no gift. Mirabel starts to notice cracks forming in the house and goes on a quest to fix the magic of the candle, without the aid of any special gifts herself.

When Germaine Franco began composing the score for Encanto, the directors knew they didn’t want the sound of a traditional Disney film. Franco began experimenting with Colombian instruments and rhythms to create the sound of Latin American magic.

Encanto takes place in a magical town sheltered by mountains, created when Alma Madrigal (María Cecilia Botero) lost her husband and prayed for a miracle to save her three children. The idea of magic being born out of emotion was important to make the film based in Latin American magic, rather than European.

As opposed to the sounds associated with European fantasy, Latin American magical realism comes with the influences of Afro-Colombian and Indigenous cultures. Franco used traditional Colombian instruments and cumbia, the national rythym of Colombia, to score this Latin American Disney film.

Franco’s score for Encanto has been shortlisted for the Best Score category at the Oscars this year.

Every year the same question is asked about the Best Animated Feature category: can anyone beat Disney? Walt Disney Studios, along with subsidiary Pixar, has won 14 Oscars in the Best Animated Feature category since the category began two decades ago, followed in a distant second by DreamWorks Animation’s two wins. 26 animated features are eligible to be nominated this year, and with only five slots, who will make the final cut?

Walt Disney Studios is coming on strong again with their competitors this year, including Pixar’s Luca. Enrico Casarosa makes his feature-length directorial debut with this coming-of-age story inspired by his childhood in Genoa, Italy. Although the theatrical release of the film was canned due to the ongoing pandemic, that didn’t hinder the film’s popularity. It tells the story of Luca Paguro (Jacob Tremblay), a young sea monster boy who has been living a sheltered life under...

Latin America is a large place, so when the idea was pitched, it was a daunting task to narrow it down. Directors Jared Bush and Byron Howard, with co-director and writer Charise Castro Smith, found the perfect place for this musical fantasy: Colombia.

Encanto takes place in a magical town sheltered by mountains. As she is fleeing from her home, Alma Madrigal (María Cecilia Botero) loses her husband and prays for a miracle to save her three children. The candle she was holding becomes magical and builds an “encanto” around the refugees, blasts away the invaders, and builds a sentient house for her family to live in. The candle gave magical gifts to Alma’s family for 50 years, until her granddaughter Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz) mysteriously receives no gift. Mirabel starts to notice cracks forming in the house and goes on a quest to fix the magic of the candle, without...

Walt Disney Animation Studios' CG-animated musical fantasy feature "Encanto", directed by Jared Bush, Byron Howard and Charise Castro Smith, starring Stephanie Beatriz, María Cecilia Botero, John Leguizamo, Mauro Castillo, Jessica Darrow, Angie Cepeda, Carolina Gaitán, Diane Guerrero and Wilmer Valderrama, has won the 'Golden Globe' award for the year's 'Best Motion Picture – Animated' by the 'Hollywood Foreign Press Association':

"...forced by an armed conflict to flee her home, a young 'Alma Madrigal' loses her husband 'Pedro' but saves her children 'Julieta', 'Pepa' and 'Bruno'.

"By a 'miracle', her candle attains magical qualities, blasts away their pursuers, and creates a sentient 'Casita' house for the Madrigals, in a town sheltered by surrounding 'encanto' mountains.

"Fifty years later, the candle continues to burn and the town thrives under its protection, with the candle gifting each member of the Madrigal bloodline, superhuman abilities they use to help the villagers..."

Click the images to enlarge.

Once upon a time, Disney ventured to the mountains of Columbia to tell a fable so farfetched that one might be mistaken for doubting the claims that this feature didn’t spring fully formed from a fairytale. Encanto is the story of a 15-year-old girl who loves her family and wholeheartedly celebrates their talents while living without a gift of her own; the tall tale of a selfless teen!

Mirabel Madrigal (Stephanie Beatriz) is one of The Magical Madrigals, a celebrated family who live in an enchanted casita at the heart of a verdant Columbian valley where a miraculous new home for a displaced mother and her babies sprang up in the shadow of tragedy and its next generation are using their blessings to serve the town beyond the casita walls.

Mirabel’s Abuela Alma (María Cecilia Botero) takes great pride in her family’s extraordinary talents and their lives of service.

Meet The Madrigals – Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Encanto” introduces the Madrigals, a compelling and complicated extended family who live in a wondrous and charmed place in the mountains of Colombia. Opening in the U.S. on Nov. 24, 2021, “Encanto” features the voices of Stephanie Beatriz as the only ordinary child in the Madrigal family; María Cecilia Botero as Mirabel’s grandmother, Abuela Alma; Angie Cepeda and Wilmer Valderrama as Mirabel’s parents, Julieta and Agustín; Jessica Darrow and Diane Guererro as Mirabel’s sisters Luisa and Isabela; Carolina Gaitan and Mauro Castillo as Mirabel’s aunt and uncle, Pepa and Félix; and Adassa Candiani, Rhenzy Feliz and Ravi Cabot-Conyers as Mirabel’s cousins Dolores, Camilo and Antonio, respectively. © 2021 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

So, you didn’t think we’d go through the year’s last two big holidays without a brightly-wrapped animated gift from the “Mouse House”? Of course not, because...

“Encanto” is a lively, lovely, lushly enveloping digitally animated musical fairy tale. It’s the 60th animated feature produced by the Walt Disney company, and to borrow a phrase from the old Disney TV series, it’s set in a wonderful world of color — a rapturously imagined, rainbow-gorgeous village tucked inside the misty green mountains of Colombia, where the members of the Madrigal family lead a magical existence. The ornate designer tiles of La Casa Madrigal, their idyllic mansion, turn into a synchronized army of domestic helpers, and each family member is endowed with his or her own superhuman gift. Actually, one of them has no gift. That would be the heroine, Mirabel (voiced by Stephanie Beatriz), who is just like us — which means, within her family, that she’s the odd girl out.

Directed by Jared Bush and Byron Howard (the co-writer and co-director of “Zootopia”), with Charise Castro Smith as co-director,...

Disney has debuted the first trailer for the upcoming animation ‘Encanto.’

In the film, the magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift from super strength to the power to heal—every child except one, Mirabel. But when she discovers that the magic surrounding the Encanto is in danger, Mirabel decides that she, the only ordinary Madrigal, might just be her exceptional family’s last hope.

The all-new original film features the voice of Stephanie Beatriz as Mirabel, an ordinary 15-year-old who’s struggling to find her place in her family. “Mirabel is a really funny, loving character who also deeply yearns for something more,” says Beatriz. “She’s also not afraid to stand up for what she knows is right—something I love and relate to very much.

“I’m Colombian on my father’s side, and playing this role fills me with immense pride,...