Cannes organisers have scheduled a screening of official selection work-in-progress animation Khalil Gibran’s The Prophet on May 17.

Salma Hayek-Pinault and director Roger Allers will present the event alongside other animation directors involved with the film who include Tomm Moore, Joan Gratz, Joann Sfar, Bill Plympton and Paul and Gaeton Brizzi.

Composer Gabriel Yared will attend to discuss the film’s music, which includes cello solos by Yo-Yo Ma and original songs by Damien Rice, Lisa Hannigan, and Glen Hansard.

“I am thrilled to share with the Cannes audience a glimpse of our film and a chance to meet some of the remarkable artists who contributed their unique talents,” said Allers.

“For the last three years, this film has been my passion,” said produce and voice actor Hayek-Pinault. “But I have loved the book since my childhood, when I discovered it by my grandfather’s bedside, where he kept it. I am extremely proud of our film, and truly honoured that it is included – as a work in progress – in the official selection of Cannes.”

Apart from Hayek, the voice cast includes Liam Neeson, John Krasinski, Frank Langella, Alfred Molina, and Quvenzhané Wallis. Hayek-Pinault produces alongside Clark Peterson, José Tamez and Ron Senkowski.

Khalil Gibran’s The Prophet is inspired by the celebrated book that tells of the unlikely friendship between a mischievous girl and an imprisoned poet. 

Wild Bunch handles international sales at Cannes and Participant Media represents North American rights. Participant Media is financing the project with Doha Film Institute, FFA Private Bank, MyGroup Lebanon, Financiere Pinault, and Code Red Productions.

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