Check out Guillermo Del Toro's latest project, The Book of Life

Guillermo Del Toro usually associates himself with the darker side of filmmaking, but the Mexican director and producer has just finished work on an altogether more upbeat and life-affirming movie. The Book Of Life follows the story of Manolo, a young man caught in the middle of a wager between two deities who must embark on an epic adventure in order to see the woman he loves again.

The animated comedy is directed by Jorge Gutierrez and produced by Del Toro and takes the Mexican Day Of The Dead as design inspiration, drawing from the elaborately decorated characters and curiosities with which the festival has become synonymous – the bright colours, intricate patterns and influence of the undead coming to bear on all aspects of the film. The result looks like a riotous romp of epic animation and we can’t wait to see more.

The Book Of Life is released on October 24, but to tide you over we suggest tucking into the trailer above.