The cinematic adaptation of Jessica Love’s acclaimed 2018 children’s book, Julián Is a Mermaid, premiered to a warm reception at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September 2026. Directed by Louise Bagnall and produced by the celebrated Irish animation studio Cartoon Saloon—renowned for critically acclaimed features such as The Secret of Kells, Wolfwalkers, and The Breadwinner—the 85-minute animated film expands the original 40-page picture book into a comprehensive, feature-length narrative focusing on identity, family dynamics, and the pursuit of community acceptance.
Main Facts and Production Background
Julián shifts the narrative framework of the source material by broadening the relationship between its protagonist, Julián (voiced by Knyght Darius Jack), and his Dominican American grandmother, known as Abuela (Milcania Diaz-Rojas). Set during a summer in Brooklyn, New York, the plot follows Julián, a young boy with an expansive imagination and a strong affinity for the ocean, as he stays with his grandmother while his father, Javi (Anthony Sardinha), is working.
Unlike the picture book—where Abuela immediately embraces her grandson’s desire to dress as a mermaid—the film introduces narrative tension through generational expectations and traditional gender norms. When Abuela attempts to discipline and groom Julián in a manner she believes is protective, she inadvertently enforces conventional standards that clash with the boy’s creative self-expression. The feature-length format allows Cartoon Saloon to explore the emotional friction of this familial transition, illustrating how both characters navigate misunderstanding before arriving at mutual acceptance.
Visual Style and Animation Techniques
Abandoning the prevailing industry trend toward three-dimensional computer-generated imagery (CGI), director Louise Bagnall and the artistic team at Cartoon Saloon developed a distinct visual language for Julián. The film mirrors its protagonist’s love for drawing by utilizing textures that mimic markers and crayons, diverging from the watercolor aesthetic of Love’s original illustrations.
The color palette emphasizes the vibrancy and warmth of an Afro-Latino Brooklyn neighborhood. Soft character designs and fluid animation frame Julián’s high-energy daydreams, during which everyday surroundings transform into imaginative aquatic landscapes populated by flying fish, celestial whale sharks, and mythical sea creatures. Film critics comparing the movie’s artistic choices to established animated works have noted stylistic echoes of Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away and Ponyo, as well as contemporary series like Craig of the Creek and Steven Universe.
Chronology and Narrative Arc
The structural progression of Julián moves from initial domestic adjustment to high-stakes conflict and resolution:
- Arrival in Brooklyn: Julián begins his summer stay with Abuela, bringing his characteristic messiness and vivid imagination into her structured household.
- The Haircut Conflict: Hoping to emulate the long braids of neighborhood girls preparing for the Coney Island Mermaid Parade, Julián asks Abuela to style his hair. Instead, she gives him a short-cropped haircut to project a traditional masculine appearance, reducing the boy to tears and establishing the primary emotional hurdle of the story.
- Internalized Shame: While Abuela agrees to sew him a custom mermaid costume, she cautions him against being "too much," forcing Julián to suppress his creativity.
- The Climax and Parade Race: Deviating from the book’s gentle walk to the beach, the film’s final act features a race against time as Julián runs away to join his friends at the Coney Island Mermaid Parade, pursued by an anxious Abuela seeking to reconcile her actions.
- Community Acceptance: Reaching the parade, Julián and his grandmother encounter a supportive, diverse community of participants who aid them, culminating in a celebration of self-expression.
Industry Implications and Cultural Context
The release of Julián arrives during a robust year for theatrical animation, following high-profile studio releases such as The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Toy Story 5, Hoppers, and Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender. As studios continue to seek compelling intellectual property for family audiences, the successful translation of a critically lauded picture book into a feature film demonstrates the commercial and artistic viability of contemporary children’s literature in the animation sector.
Furthermore, Julián contributes to a growing body of family-friendly media addressing LGBTQ+ themes and gender non-conformity in subtle, age-appropriate ways. By framing the narrative around childhood innocence, artistic exploration, and community support rather than explicit issue-based dialogue, the film provides a nuanced representation of youth identity. Following its North American premiere at TIFF, industry analysts anticipate broad distribution deals that will bring the film to commercial theaters globally, further solidifying Cartoon Saloon’s reputation for producing culturally resonant, hand-drawn animation.
