Yonas Kibreab | Photo from hiyonas/Instagram
Fresh off his leading role in Pixar’s Elio, Filipino American teen actor Yonas Kibreab is showing no signs of slowing down as he shifts from reaching the stars to telling the truth.
At just 15, the rising talent is stepping into a new dimension of storytelling, not only as a voice actor but also as an executive producer in the upcoming animated indie feature “Pinocchio & the Water of Life.”
The film, described by The Hollywood Reporter as a steampunk reimagining of the classic tale of the wooden puppet who wishes to become a real boy, is currently in post-production and aiming for a 2025 release through Asymmetric Studios.
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“I loved voicing Pinocchio,” said Kibreab in an official statement. “The animation is incredible—like nothing I’ve ever seen. Victor is a true artist, and being an executive producer on this project has been such an honor.”
Directed by Victor K, the project has an impressive voice cast that includes animation veterans such as James Hong, Fred Tatasciore, Rob Paulsen, Maurice LaMarche, Tom Kenny, Phil LaMarr, Candi Milo and Yeni Alvarez.
Kibreab’s resume already reads like a seasoned professional’s. From playing Phinny in Disney’s Pupstruction to starring in Pretty Freekin’ “Scary,” and from a breakout performance in Hulu’s “Into the Dark: Blood Moon” to a role in Netflix’s “Sweet Tooth” Season 2, the young actor has shown remarkable range and prowess.
What many may not know is that Kibreab’s entertainment journey started on the tennis court. Alongside his dad, he created tennis-themed content that went viral on platforms like Instagram and Vine.
His energy and charm eventually caught the attention of the US Tennis Association, which led to him becoming a “kidcaster” at the US Open which was an early taste of the spotlight that would pave the way for his acting career.
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