AT&T and Pixar Celebrate the Theatrical Release of Disney and Pixar’s “Elio” with a Special Student Experience
AT&T, The Walt Disney Studios, and Pixar Animation Studios have created unique opportunities for students centered around “Elio,” a brand-new story from Pixar that follows an alien-obsessed boy on a journey to find his place in the world, discovering the true power of friendship and connection along the way.
“As ‘Elio’ shows us, the journey to belonging is fueled by connection,” said Melissa Arnoldi, executive vice president and general manager of AT&T Business. “Our decades-long relationship with Disney is rooted in more than technology – it’s about creating meaningful experiences that inspire and empower. By blending creativity and connectivity, we’re helping the next generation discover their potential and connect to greater possibilities.”
As part of this collaboration, 12 students from the East Oakland Youth Development Center – one of AT&T’s Connected Learning Centers (CLCs) – visited Pixar Animation Studios for hands-on workshops with virtual reality demos, recording sessions, a studio tour and a showing of “Elio” footage.
In addition, students from the Salvadoran American Leadership and Educational Fund (SALEF) – an AT&T CLC in Los Angeles – attended the blue-carpet premiere of “Elio” as AT&T’s special guests. Former CLC student Gia Duarte, who used the center’s connectivity resources to apply to college, became a student reporter on the blue carpet, interviewing CLC peers. Like “Elio,” Gia’s story highlights the greater possibilities that can be reached with curiosity, friendship and connection.
Students from eight CLCs in cities across the country watched special “Elio” screenings, reinforcing the film’s themes of belonging and discovery while highlighting AT&T’s ongoing commitment to bridging the digital divide.
AT&T has a longstanding relationship with The Walt Disney Company and is an Official Sponsor of the Walt Disney World® Resort, Disneyland® Resort and Disney Cruise Line. We love exploring new opportunities to collaborate and bringing connectivity to guests and consumers in new and exciting ways.
About the Movie
For centuries, people have called out to the universe looking for answers—in Disney and Pixar’s all-new feature film “Elio,” the universe calls back! The cosmic misadventure introduces Elio, a space fanatic with an active imagination and a huge alien obsession. So, when he’s beamed up to the Communiverse, an interplanetary organization with representatives from galaxies far and wide, Elio’s all in for the epic undertaking. Mistakenly identified as Earth’s leader, Elio must form new bonds with eccentric alien lifeforms, navigate a crisis of intergalactic proportions, and somehow discover who and where he is truly meant to be. Directed by Madeline Sharafian (“Burrow” Sparkshort), Domee Shi (“Bao” short, “Turning Red”) and Adrian Molina (co-screenwriter/co-director of “Coco”), and produced by Mary Alice Drumm (associate producer of “Coco”), the film features the voices of Yonas Kibreab as Elio, Zoe Saldaña as Aunt Olga, Remy Edgerly as Glordon, Brad Garrett as Lord Grigon, Jameela Jamil as Ambassador Questa and Shirley Henderson as Ooooo. “Elio” releases in theaters June 20, 2025.
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