Koati is a hand-drawn animated adventure comedy film directed by Rodrigo Perez-Castro and produced by Upstairs Animation, Los Hijos de Jack, and Latin We. It was released in theaters on October 15, 2021. Executive produced by and starring Sofía Vergara, "Koati" tells a story of adventure, environmental awareness, and cultural pride. The film is produced simultaneously in both English and Spanish.
Plot.
The film follows the adventures of three unlikely heroes from the fictional rainforest world of Xo: Nachi, a free-spirited coati (voiced by Rafael Dovarganes); Xochi, a fearless monarch butterfly (voiced by Evaluna Montaner); and Pako, a hyperactive glass frog (voiced by Eduardo Franco). Together, they embark on a mission to stop the nefarious coral snake Zaina (voiced by Sofía Vergara) from destroying their homeland. Along the way, the characters learn lessons about unity, resilience, and the importance of protecting their ecosystem.
Production.
"Koati" is the first animated feature film produced by Upstairs Animation. The production presents a primarily Latin American creative team, with key contributors from various countries in the region, including Venezuela, Colombia, Mexico, El Salvador, and Argentina. Director Rodrigo Perez-Castro, known for his work on "Ferdinand" and "Rio 2", envisioned a film that would pay homage to Latin America's natural beauty while rekindling the nostalgic charm of traditional 2D animation.
The animation was created by Toon City Animation, a studio with a long history of collaboration with Disney. According to Perez-Castro, the team drew inspiration from classics like "The Little Mermaid" and "Bambi", aiming to create a visually rich and naturalistic portrayal of the animal kingdom.
Latin singer Marc Anthony was the executive musical producer.
TV series.
The TV series, "Koati: Animated Series", was announced in 2022 and is also to be voiced by Sofía Vergara.