Lydia and the Mist Rider, set to transport audiences to theatres across Canada on February 20, 2026.

The animated feature Lydia and the Mist Rider, distributed by Maison 4:3 and produced by the acclaimed Canadian animation studio 10th Ave Productions arrived in Canadian theatres on February 20, 2026. This marks the studio’s sixth animated feature, following previous works including The Legend of Sarila and Katak the Brave Beluga.

The English cast is further rounded out by Anna Hopkins as Eshara, Nico DeCastris as Thaddeus, Kathleen Fee as Granny Esther, Mark Camacho as the Cheese Seller, Arthur Holden as Kidjano and Watchman, and Alexandra Bacon as Mael/Spellbinder.Golden Globe-nominated actress Sophie Nélisse (Yellowjackets, The Book Thief) stars as the titular young heroine Lydia in both the English and French-language versions of the film (Lydia et le vaisseau des tempêtes).

The French-language version features an equally formidable roster, with Anthony Kavanagh as Capitaine Chadio, Eveline Gélinas as Ambrosia, Guy Nadon as Kidjano, Gildor Roy as Fromager, Dorothée Berryman as Grand-mère Esther, Alexandre Bacon as Mael/Envoûteur, Lyndz Dantiste as Lucas, alongside Kevin Houle and Philomène Bilodeau.

A LABOUR OF LOVE, TWO YEARS IN THE MAKING

“We called on artists who truly embody the characters created by artistic director and co-director Philippe Arseneau Bussières,” said Savard.

For Nélisse, the process was uniquely immersive. “At the very beginning of the recording process, I didn’t have any visual references, everything existed only on paper,” she shared. “I had the full script, all the lines, all the dialogue, but it was really up to me to create Lydia’s character.”

The actress particularly cherished the collaborative atmosphere during the English sessions. “The first time, when we recorded the English version, I worked a lot with the actors playing Lucas (Hasani Freeman) and Thaddeus (Nico DeCastris). What’s really special is that we were face-to-face, it almost felt like a theatre scene, but in audio form. It brought a lot of energy, authenticity, and spontaneity to my performance. It was truly fun.”

The film’s musical score and songs were recorded under the direction of composer Jean-François Racine.

SYNOPSIS

When her older brother Thaddeus is mysteriously kidnapped by the Spellbinder, 11-year-old Lydia embarks on a perilous journey to find him in the Misty Sea. Rescued by the crew of a flying ship, the Dolphin, Lydia becomes the apprentice of Ambrosia, a Stargazer searching for her own missing son and other vanished children. Determined to solve the mystery, Lydia must master the ancient art of astromagic and find the courage within herself to confront the Spellbinder.

FROM PAGE TO SCREEN

The screenplay, written by Emilie Rosas, is a free adaptation of Yves Meynard’s novels Le vaisseau des tempêtes and Le prince des glaces, published by Éditions Médiaspaul.

SUPPORT AND DISTRIBUTION

10th Ave’s sixth feature production was made possible with the support of Telefilm Canada, SODEC, the Canada Media Fund, the City of Québec, the Shaw Rocket Fund, Bell Media/Crave, CBC/Radio-Canada, the Harold Greenberg Fund, and Investissement Québec, as well as provincial and federal tax credit programs.

Maison 4:3 distributes the film in Canada, while Attraction Distribution, in collaboration with 10th Ave Studio, manages international sales.

ABOUT 10TH AVE PRODUCTIONS

10th Ave Productions is the Québec-based production powerhouse behind 100% Canadian-produced animated feature films, including Katak the Brave Beluga, Felix and the Treasure of Morgäa, Mission Kathmandu: The Adventures of Nelly and Simon, The Rooster of St. Victor, and The Legend of Sarila. Headquartered in the Québec City region, 10th Ave’s films have been distributed in more than 170 countries and territories worldwide.

ABOUT MAISON 4:3

Founded in 2014, MAISON 4:3 is a boutique film distribution firm dedicated to placing its expertise at the service of creators. Specializing in the development of effective release strategies, the company accompanies works through various stages of distribution, championing deeply human projects that are at once singular and rewarding.

Official Trailer: