Pixar animation to launch Cannes

Up tells of an old man who makes his entire house airborne

Up, the latest animated feature from Disney/Pixar, will launch this year's Cannes Film Festival on 13 May.

The world premiere will be screened in digital 3-D and marks the first time an animated movie has opened the event.

Featuring the voices of Ed Asner and Christopher Plummer, the film tells of a 78-year-old man who ties balloons to his house in order to become airborne.

Organisers have yet to confirm whether the film will be in competition at the festival, which runs until 24 May.

Up is out in the US on 29 May and will be released in the UK on 16 October.

Juror

The film is directed by Pete Docter, who previously directed Pixar's 2001 hit Monsters, Inc.

Last year's event saw Waltz with Bashir compete for the Palme d'Or and Kung Fu Panda screen out of competition.

Other animated features screened at recent Cannes Film Festivals include Over the Hedge and the first two movies in the Shrek series.

French actress Isabelle Huppert will chair the jury this year, having previously served as a juror on two separate occasions.

Pixar release Wall-E was named best animated feature at the Academy Awards on 22 February.