The upcoming DreamWorks Animation film ‘The Wild Robot’ received a warm reception at the Annecy Animation Festival, with director Chris Sanders presenting two extended clips that elicited a range of emotions from the audience.

Starring an impressive voice cast including Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, and Kit Connor, ‘The Wild Robot’ centers on a robot named Roz who finds herself stranded on an uninhabited island and must learn to connect with the untrusting animals around her.

In the first clip shown, the audience erupted in laughter as Roz explored her new surroundings. The second, more emotional clip showcased the evolving bond between Roz and an orphaned gosling named Brightbill, voiced by Connor. Many in the crowd were visibly moved, leading to a standing ovation for Sanders.

“We are almost finished - we are very, very close,” Sanders shared with the festival attendees, explaining the team’s goal of creating a CG-animated film with the “analog warmth and soul” of hand-drawn animation.

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DreamWorks Animation president Margie Cohn expressed her confidence in the film, telling the audience, “We think it’s a DreamWorks classic in the making, and we hope you do, too.”

Featuring a supporting cast that includes Bill Nighy, Stephanie Hsu, Mark Hamill, Catherine O’Hara, Matt Berry, and Ving Rhames, ‘The Wild Robot’ is set to hit theaters on September 20th. The audience’s enthusiastic response suggests the film could be a heartwarming hit when it arrives later this year.