Laika's 20th Birthday Shocks Gotham as Wildwood’s U.S. Premiere Looms

**Laika Honored with Gotham Anniversary Tribute for 20 Years of Stop‑Motion Mastery**

Laika, the studio behind six Oscar‑nominated stop‑motion features, was named the recipient of the Gotham Film Awards’ anniversary tribute this year. The honor, presented on November 20 at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City, celebrates two decades of storytelling and the release of the studio’s newest film, *Wildwood*.

The award is part of the 36th annual Gotham ceremony, organized by the Gotham Film & Media Institute.

The tribute coincides with *Wildwood*’s world premiere at the London Film Festival on October 11 and its debut as opening‑night film at AFI Fest ten days later. Distributed by Fathom Entertainment, the movie will hit theaters nationwide on October 23.

Laika’s partnership with Gotham, which launched the Laika × Gotham Animation Accelerator earlier this year, underscores the studio’s commitment to nurturing new animated voices.

## Background & Context

Founded in 2005, Laika has built a reputation for pushing the boundaries of modern cinema with handcrafted animation. The studio’s stop‑motion titles—including *Coraline*, *ParaNorman*, *The Boxtrolls*, and *Kubo and the Two Strings*—have each earned Oscar nominations, marking it as a leading force in the genre.

Over its 20‑year history, Laika has consistently expanded the possibilities of what handcrafted storytelling can achieve.

In addition to its cinematic achievements, Laika partnered with the Gotham Film & Media Institute to launch the Laika × Gotham Animation Accelerator. The program aims to create meaningful opportunities for bold new voices in animation, a mission echoed by Laika’s own commitment to original, ambitious storytelling.

This collaboration set the stage for the studio’s recognition at the anniversary tribute.

*Wildwood*, directed by Laika’s president and CEO Travis Knight, is based on Colin Meloy’s novel and written by Chris Butler. The story follows Prue McKeel (Peyton Elizabeth Lee), a headstrong teenager who sets out with her loyal classmate Curtis Mehlberg (Jacob Tremblay) to rescue her abducted baby brother.

Their journey takes them into the Impassable Wilderness, an enchanted forest beyond Portland, Oregon. The film’s voice cast includes Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali, Angela Bassett, Awkwafina, Jake Johnson, Charlie Day, Amandla Stenberg, Jemaine Clement, Maya Erskine, Tantoo Cardinal, Tom Waits and Richard E. Grant.

## What People Are Saying

“After 20 years of pushing the boundaries of modern cinema and animation, this moment feels like both a celebration and an evolution for Laika,” said Jeffrey Sharp, executive director of the Gotham Film & Media Institute. Sharp highlighted the studio’s latest ambition with *Wildwood* and its expansion into live‑action filmmaking.

He added that no honoree would fit the anniversary tribute better than Laika.

“We’re deeply honored that The Gotham is recognizing Laika at a moment when we’re celebrating two decades of filmmaking and bringing Wildwood to audiences,” said David Burke, Laika’s Chief Marketing & Operations Officer.

Burke emphasized the value of the Laika × Gotham Animation Accelerator partnership and the shared belief in original, ambitious storytelling. He expressed gratitude for the recognition and the opportunity to celebrate with Gotham.

## What Happens Next

*Wildwood* will become available to U.S. audiences on October 23 through Fathom Entertainment, following its world premiere at the London Film Festival on October 11 and its opening‑night showing at AFI Fest on October 21. The film’s release schedule positions it for both critical attention and box‑office momentum during the fall season.

The Gotham Film Awards will announce nominations for the 10 competition categories on October 27. Additional anniversary tributes are expected to be revealed throughout the fall, as the institute continues to celebrate influential creators in the industry.

As Laika steps into its next chapter, the studio’s blend of meticulous craftsmanship and narrative daring remains at the forefront of animated cinema. The Gotham tribute marks a milestone that honors past achievements while anticipating future innovations.