Mermaid Bound

Julián is a 2026 animated urban fantasy film directed by Louise Bagnall, written by Juliany Taveras, and adapted from Jessica Love's 2014 children's book Julián Is a Mermaid. The film tells the story of Julián (Knyght Darius Jack), a young boy spending the summer in Brooklyn with his Dominican American grandmother Carmela (Milcania Diaz-Rojas), whom he barely knows, with their early conflicts growing into a loving and supportive bond as she helps him in his desire to be a mermaid in the Coney Island Mermaid Parade. The cast also includes Nami Diaz and Lisa-Kainde Diaz. Like other Cartoon Saloon films, Julián is an international co-production between several other companies. Bagnall, a Cartoon Saloon animator, first read Julián Is a Mermaid in 2018 and pitched an adaptation to the studio. Together with Love and Taveras, they expanded the original story introducing fantastical elements while keeping its themes about expression and cultural heritage intact. To present the story as if it were through young Julián's eyes, the art direction incorperated heavy use of coloring pencils and markers. The film premiered in June 2026 at the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival in June 2026 and is slated to have its North American premiere at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival.