Winner: Un Certain Regard Special Jury Prize, 2026 Cannes Film Festival

For young Christophe, life on a rural French farm comes with a lot of hard work, not a lot of passion, and precarious health. Dizzy spells sabotage his day-to-day activities. In need of balance, he gets fitted with an iron back brace which helps with his posture but draws derision from outsiders. Coming of age is not an easy road for anyone, let alone someone feeling a literal and figurative weight on his back. 

Pushing through that, Christophe discovers new passions including playing the church organ and connecting with those around him. Putting his pain into newfound forms of expression permits Christophe to transcend his limitations.

Former Pixar animator Louis Clichy creates a beautiful and whimsical hand-painted story of a boy—voiced in the film by his own son, Gary Clichy and drawn from the director’s childhood—trying to find his way in a difficult and sometimes unforgiving world. 

Winner of the Special Jury Prize at Cannes last spring, IRON BOY tells a unique and beautiful story. For anyone who has felt alone or out of place in their surroundings, Christophe’s tale reminds us that we can all use some form of support, regardless of where it comes from.

—Robyn Citizen, Toronto International Film Festival guide