Kids

Xilam Films has greenlit The Wolf, an adult-targeted animated psychological thriller based on the graphic novel by bestselling author Jean-Marc Rochette, creator of Snowpiercer. The feature is co-written and directed by Benjamin Massoubre and Fursy Tessier, who previously collaborated on the Academy Award-nominated animated film I Lost My Body, with Sabine Dabadie joining as co-writer. Set for delivery in April 2027, The Wolf combines 3D animation with traditional drawing techniques to create a painterly visual style that blurs the line between animation and live action.

The voice cast is led by César Award winner Roschdy Zem (Days of Glory) and Virginie Efira (All of A Sudden), who shared the Best Actress award at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. The project is showcased during Annecy Festival’s Work in Progress sessions on June 23, featuring an exclusive preview of the film’s first images.
Produced by Marc du Pontavice for Xilam Films and co-produced by Lilian Eche for Bidibul Productions in Luxembourg, the feature has appointed Goodfellas to handle international sales, while ARP will oversee theatrical distribution in France. Crunchyroll has pre-bought worldwide SVOD rights, excluding China and Japan.

The film has also secured support from Film Fund Luxembourg, the CNC through its Animation Technical Assistance program, the Réunion Region, the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region and the Charente Department. Set in the Alps, the story follows Gaspard, a solitary shepherd haunted by the death of his son. When a wolf attacks and destroys his flock, he embarks on a relentless quest for revenge that forces him to confront grief, guilt and loss.

“Jean-Marc Rochette's The Wolf offers a rare combination of dramatic force with remarkable thematic depth. Beneath the apparent simplicity of the story – a shepherd against a wolf – lies a multi-layered narrative and a psychological thriller. Since working together on I Lost My Body, I’ve been continually impressed by Benjamin Massoubre and Fursy Tessier’s masterful storytelling and bold creative vision – now with The Wolf, they’re crafting a gripping cinematic experience, while using groundbreaking techniques to blur the boundaries between animation and live-action,” said Marc du Pontavice, Founder and CEO at Xilam Films. “We’re privileged to have Bibidul Productions, Goodfellas, ARP and Crunchyroll join us on this journey, and to also have the remarkably talented Roschdy and Virginie leading our voice cast – who we know will add dramatic depth, emotional resonance and authenticity to this universal human story.”