Iron Boy

Animation

In cinemas 3w later · Theatrical Oct 14, 2026 (FR)

★ Shortlisted by Mitch Allen

Programme: Centrepiece
Year: 2026
Runtime: 90 min
Country: France, Belgium
Language: French
Premiere: North American Premiere
In cinemas: Oct 14, 2026 (FR)

In rural France, Christophe (10) tries to live up to his rigid and distant father on the family farm. But the young boy starts to lean over and collapse without warning — on the tractor, at school, at dinner... A doctor finds the solution: Christophe must wear an iron corset to keep himself upright. Forced to reinvent his life away from the farm, Christophe discovers a new passion for music, meets a new friend, and follows her into his first mischief. But will any of this really fix what is out of balance?

From the TIFF programme

Winner of the Special Jury Prize at Cannes last spring, Pixar animator Louis Clichy’s gorgeous hand-painted animation tells the story of a boy in need of a back brace who seeks the courage to stand alone.

For young Christophe, life on a rural French farm comes with a lot of hard work, not a lot of passion, and precarious health. Dizzy spells sabotage his day-to-day activities. In need of balance, he gets fitted with an iron back brace which helps with his posture but draws derision from outsiders. Coming of age is not an easy road for anyone, let alone someone feeling a literal and figurative weight on his back.

Pushing through that, Christophe discovers new passions including playing the church organ and connecting with those around him. Putting his pain into newfound forms of expression permits Christophe to transcend his limitations.

Former Pixar animator Louis Clichy creates a beautiful and whimsical hand-painted story of a boy — voiced in the film by his own son, Gary Clichy and drawn from the director’s childhood — trying to find his way in a difficult and sometimes unforgiving world.

Winner of the Special Jury Prize at Cannes last spring, Iron Boy tells a unique and beautiful story. For anyone who has felt alone or out of place in their surroundings, Christophe’s tale reminds us that we can all use some form of support, regardless of where it comes from.

ROBYN CITIZEN

Director

Louis Clichy

Top Cast

Credits

Screenplay: Louis Clichy, Frank Salomé
Producers: Céline Vanlint, Nicolas de Rosanbo, Fabrice Delville, Christophe Toulemonde, Agathe Sofer, Alexandre Astier
Editor: Vincent Tricon
Canadian Distributor: Mongrel Media
US Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics