Once upon a time the French had a major beef with Disney, grousing about cultural imperialism and the like. No more. For the first time ever an animated 3D film by Disney has taken the prized opening ceremony slot at the Cannes Film Festival. The film is UP, an adventure story about a 78-year-old who flies to South America on balloons only to discover that he has a 9-year-old stowaway.

The film is the brainchild of John Lassetter who has directed or produced such monster hits as Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo, Ratatouille and Wall-E.

UP will have its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on May 13 and will open in the US and France soon after.