Pixar animation to open Cannes festival

Up, a film from Walt Disney Co.'s hit-making studio Pixar, will be the first animatedand the first3-D film to open the Cannes Film Festival.

The adventure comedy, directed by Pete Docter and Bob Peterson and produced by John Lasseter, willbe shown at the opening ceremony ofthe 62nd international Cannes festival on May 13, organizers announced Thursday.

Festival organizers have yet to confirm whetherit will be part of the 2009 competition.

Docter directed the animated hit Monsters, Inc., and developed the story and characters for Toy Story.

Up tells the story about a 78-year-old man who ties balloons to his house to become airborne. The character is voiced by actors Ed Asner and Christopher Plummer.

Cannes has warmed to animated firms in recent years. In 2007, Persepolis, the animated film based on Marjane Satrapi's autobiographical graphic novel, shared the jury prize with Silent Light. Last year, Waltz with Bashir, Ari Folman's animated documentary, competed for the Palme d'Or award.

Pixar's Wall*E won an Academy Award for best animated feature in February.

Up will be released at cinemas in the U.S. on May 29.

The 62nd Cannes festival runs through May 23. Its full lineup will be announced on April 23.