Directed by Matty Kiel, ‘Unicorn Boy’ is a young adult LGBTQ+ themed coming-of-age animated film that explores the complicated nature of sexual identities. The film world premiered at the 2023 Slamdance Film Festival and went on to screen at other film festivals including the Florida Film Festival and Mamoth Lakes Film Festival.
Freestyle Digital Media will release the film, first presenting a one-night theatrical screening in Los Angeles featuring a cast and crew Q&A session at the Laemmle NoHo 7 in North Hollywood on October 2, 2024; then on VOD and DVD on on October 11, 2024.
‘Unicorn Boy’ is a coming-of-age animated feature geared to young adults which explores the complexity of first heartbreak and gender identity, created and animated entirely by the imaginative Matty Kiel. The story follows Matty, a down-on-their-luck artist, distraught by a recent breakup, who is magically sucked into a unicorn-run alternate dimension. Now, Matty must work with a new unicorn friend to conquer a dark force, bringing peace to their kingdom and emotional stability to their bleak Silver Lake life. This auteur-driven portrait of one’s former self is a beautiful reflection of the challenges that come along with growth and self-discovery.
The cast features Kiel (‘Matty’), Patton Oswalt (‘King Uniturius’), Maria Bamford (‘Queen Junipero’), Sethward (‘Sethward’), Cindy Paola (‘Peanut Butter Sparkle’), Harold Perrineau (‘Guard Pantius’), Michelle Trachtenberg (‘Violet’), Parvesh Cheena (‘Tarliul’/‘Sunriel’/‘Parsadio’), Sarah Natochenny (‘Prince Purpleton’), Katie Leclerc (‘Hope’), Brett Davern (‘Shine’), Beau Mirchoff (‘Oak’), Neil Garguilo (‘General Aldebaran’/‘Neighbor’/‘Bugs’), Nancy Hale (‘Nancy’), Mark Sipka (‘Mark’), Kristin Sanchez (‘Deer’/‘Bunny’/‘Star’/‘Tattoo Woman’), Sean Cowhig (‘Fish Bug’), Alyssa Sabo (‘Butterflies’ / ‘Alyssa’), Marshall Givens (‘Llama’/‘Gauge Nose Guy’) Chris Alvarado (‘Juice’/‘Coffee Cashier’), and Sinead De Vries (‘Popcorn Eater’).
“Unicorn Boy quite literally illustrates the emotions swirling around my head at the hardest time of my life,” said filmmaker Matty Kiel. “My hope was to spin that emotional detention into something freeing and life affirming. And in dedicating many years to making and releasing it, I have learned more than I could have imagined about what makes me happy and healthy. I’ve gained family, insights and more self love than I could have dreamed though bring the characters in the film to life.”
Watch the official trailer for ‘Unicorn Boy.’
‘Unicorn Boy’ was produced by Kiel and Neil Garguilo. Michael Hughes, Brian Mandle, Donovan Mannato and Andrew McElroy served as Executive Producers, Kristin Sanchez as Co-Producer and Dimitri Smith scored the film, which was made under the Kiel Garguilo production banner.