New storytelling campaign brings real-life stories of young people and their mentors to audiences across the country in celebration of LAIKA’s upcoming animated feature Wildwood, premiering October 23rd 

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Every day, young people across the country face challenges that require extraordinary courage. While the heroine of LAIKA’s upcoming animated feature Wildwood journeys into an unknown world to protect someone she loves, many young people navigate their own obstacles with the support of a trusted mentor by their side.

Today, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles (BBBSLA) and Academy Award ®-nominated animation studio LAIKA, in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA), announced the launch of Wildwood Heroes, a national storytelling campaign inspired by Wildwood that celebrates real young people whose lives reflect the film’s themes of bravery, perseverance, loyalty, and hope. Wildwood, directed by Travis Knight, will be released in theaters nationwide on October 23, 2026.

Meet Zoe, the First Wildwood Hero

The Wildwood Heroes campaign begins in Los Angeles with Zoe, the first young person to be recognized as a Wildwood Hero, and her Big Sister, Kaeti.

Fun, adventurous, and endlessly curious, Zoe has navigated significant changes in her life with remarkable strength. After her family was impacted by the 2025 Southern California wildfires, Zoe faced the challenge of starting over in a new school, meeting new friends, and finding the courage to step into an unfamiliar environment.

Through her relationship with Kaeti, Zoe has continued to embrace new experiences with confidence and curiosity while discovering more of her own strength along the way.

Their story reflects the heart of Wildwood: courage does not mean never being afraid. Sometimes, courage means taking the next step into the unknown and having someone beside you who believes you can do it.

ZOE’S WILDWOOD HERO VIDEO

“Zoe’s story is a powerful reminder that courage can mean taking the next step when you don’t know what comes next. Having someone like Kaeti by her side has helped Zoe embrace new experiences with confidence and curiosity. At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles, we see every day how a caring mentor can help a young person build confidence, discover their strengths, and see new possibilities for their future. We are so proud to celebrate Zoe and Kaeti as our first Wildwood Heroes and share their story with audiences across the country.”

— Lauren Plichta, President and CEO
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles

A National Celebration of Courage

Zoe’s story is only the beginning.

Over the coming weeks, Wildwood Heroes from Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies across the country will share their own stories of courage, perseverance, discovery, and the life-changing impact of mentorship. Each story will highlight a unique young person and the mentor who has helped them navigate challenges, embrace new opportunities, and see what is possible for their future.

The next Wildwood Heroes will be introduced from communities beyond Los Angeles, bringing the campaign’s message of courage and connection to audiences in new parts of the country.

“At LAIKA, we know that remarkable things happen when young people have someone who believes in them. Wildwood was brought to life by hundreds of artists, many of whom were encouraged and guided by mentors and advocates along their own paths. That shared belief in the power of mentorship is why we are so proud to partner with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles on the Wildwood Heroes program. Together, we hope to help young people dream boldly, build confidence and discover what they are capable of.”

— David Burke, Chief Marketing and Operations Officer
LAIKA

The Power and Impact of Mentorship.

Inspired by the beloved illustrated novel by Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis, Wildwood follows a young girl who ventures into a mysterious forest to rescue someone she loves, discovering courage, friendship, and resilience along the way. Through this partnership, those same themes come to life through authentic stories of young people whose lives have been transformed through mentorship.

For more than 70 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles has created one-to-one mentoring relationships that help young people realize their full potential. Each year, BBBSLA serves approximately 1,300–1,500 youth across Los Angeles County, connecting them with caring adult mentors who provide guidance, encouragement, and support during some of life’s most pivotal moments.

The need for mentorship has never been greater. According to the 2025 Youth Mentorship Access Report conducted by The Harris Poll, 84% of young people say mentorship opens doors to new opportunities, while 83% say it helps bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world success. Long-term research from Harvard University researchers, in partnership with the U.S. Department of the Treasury, found that participants in Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring programs earned significantly more as adults and experienced measurable gains in economic mobility. Their adult incomes more closely aligned with those of their mentors than with their own families, closing nearly two-thirds of the opportunity gap and helping disrupt cycles of generational poverty.

The impact is reflected locally as well. Among BBBSLA participants, 95% graduate from high school, 94% enroll in college, and 92% maintain or reduce symptoms of depression, demonstrating the lasting difference a caring mentor can make in a young person’s life.

The Wildwood Heroes Campaign

The Wildwood Heroes campaign will feature short-form videos, digital storytelling, written profiles, and social media collaborations shared across BBBSLA, LAIKA, BBBSA, and participating Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies, with additional opportunities for national amplification.

As each story unfolds, audiences are invited to celebrate the mentors who help young people discover the courage to navigate life’s greatest adventures—and to consider becoming that trusted adult for a young person waiting for a mentor!

To learn more about becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister and helping a young person discover their own courage, visit BBBS.org/WildwoodHeroes. 

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of America 

Founded in 1904, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) is the largest and most experienced youth mentoring organization in the United States. The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. Big Brothers Big Sisters’ evidence-based approach is designed to create positive youth outcomes, including educational success, avoidance of risky behaviors, higher aspirations, greater confidence, and improved relationships. Big Brothers Big Sisters serves more than 5,000 communities across all 50 states. For more information, visit: www.bbbs.org. 

About LAIKA

Founded in 2005 and based in Oregon, LAIKA is an award-winning animation studio and Certified B Corporation driven to tell bold, original stories that stand the test of time. Renowned for its distinctive artistry, innovative filmmaking and pioneering use of technology, LAIKA has redefined the possibilities of stop-motion animation.

The studio’s five films — Coraline, ParaNorman, The Boxtrolls, Kubo and the Two Strings and Missing Link — were each nominated for the Academy Award® for Best Animated Feature. LAIKA’s next animated feature, Wildwood, premieres October 23, 2026. The studio has also expanded its storytelling into live action and television.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/laika-and-big-brothers-big-sisters-of-greater-los-angeles-launch-national-wildwood-heroes-campaign-celebrating-courage-beyond-the-screen-302869019.html

SOURCE Big Brothers Big Sisters of America