NEON picks up animated ‘Robot Dreams’ from Pablo Berger ahead of Cannes premiere

NEON announced today that they have acquired the North American rights to Robot Dreams, the first animated feature film from Spanish filmmaker Pablo Berger (Blancanieves), based on the award-winning graphic novel of the same name by Sara Varon. Robot Dreams will screen for the first time in Cannes this coming Saturday, May 20 in the Special Screenings section of the festival. The acquisition marks the first sale made at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

NEON and Cannes have gone hand in hand the last few years as the studio has scored three consecutive Palme d’Or wins with Parasite in 2019, Titane in 2021, and Triangle of Sadness in 2022. Parasite went on to win the Oscar for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best International Feature Film.

Robot Dreams is a universal exploration of the importance and fragility of friendship. The film follows DOG, who lives in Manhattan and one day, tired of being alone, decides to build himself a robot, a companion. Their friendship blossoms, until they become inseparable, to the rhythm of 80’s NYC. One summer night, DOG, with great sadness, is forced to abandon ROBOT at the beach. Will they ever meet again? 

Berger also produces alongside Ibon Cormenzana, Ignasi Estapé, Sandra Tapia Diaz, Ángel Durández, with Jérôme Vidal, Sylvie Pialat and Benoit Quainon coproducing. The deal was negotiated by Sarah Colvin on behalf of NEON with Adeline Fontan Tessaur co-founder of Elle Driver, who represents worldwide sales rights to the film in Cannes.

Adeline Fontan Tessaur remarked, “I could not be more proud to have this genius rock-and-roll team on board to distribute this absolute wonder.  We know that NEON will know how to get this film that overflows with emotion to the largest possible audience.”

Photo: 2023 Arcadia Motion Pictures, Lokiz Films, Noodles Production, Les Films du Worso