You may have heard of Hogwarts, but do you know about Rotwood? It’s a school for real monsters, and now it’s home to twelve-year-old Mia, who has always been obsessed with all things creepy and weird.

In the perfectly manicured town of Primrose Valley, Mia never quite fit in, unlike her flawless twin sister, Marie. After one too many incidents, the principal punishes her by sending her to the mysterious Rotwood Academy. For Mia, it’s not a punishment at all, but the first place she’s ever felt like she belongs—until she discovers that Principal Van Vlad is plotting something truly sinister for everyone who isn't a monster.

The film is based on the Monstrous Maud book series by British author A. B. Saddlewick and had its world premiere at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. It was directed by German filmmaker Verena Fels, whose debut animated short, Mobile, was screened at over 300 festivals and won 45 awards. Monstrous Mia is a warm and witty story about belonging and the courage to be different, because, as the film suggests, we don't erase our differences—we celebrate them together.

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