Before the October 23 premiere of the animated feature Wildwood, animation studio LAIKA and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles have debuted a national campaign highlighting real-life acts of bravery. The initiative pairs the film’s themes of resilience with stories of young people supported by adult mentors.
The campaign kicks off in Los Angeles with Zoe, a student who rebuilt her life after being displaced by the 2025 Southern California wildfires. With the guidance of her mentor, Kaeti, Zoe navigated the transition to a new school environment, embodying the film's message that courage often requires a trusted partner to help navigate the unknown.
"Zoe's story is a powerful reminder that courage can mean taking the next step when you don't know what comes next," said Lauren Plichta, President and CEO of BBBSLA. Over the coming weeks, the program will expand to feature mentors and mentees from across the country. David Burke, Chief Marketing and Operations Officer at LAIKA, noted that the partnership draws on the studio’s own history of mentorship, which shaped the artists behind their stop-motion productions.
Data underscores the stakes of these connections: a 2025 Harris Poll found 84% of young people believe mentorship provides essential access to new opportunities. Furthermore, longitudinal research indicates that participants in Big Brothers Big Sisters programs see measurable gains in economic mobility, often closing significant opportunity gaps. Locally, the Los Angeles chapter reports a 95% high school graduation rate among its participants, with 92% reporting improved mental health outcomes.
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