Disney’s “Encanto” told the story of a special family who lived hidden in the mountains of Colombia. The movie’s vibrant setting highlights the country’s extensive biodiversity and was created with consultation from Felipe Zapata, assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at UCLA. 

At the beginning, filmmakers and Zapata were focused only on the wax palm. However, inspiration from signature Colombian flora and fauna — such as the platanilla, a close relative of the banana tree; the yarumo, an umbrella-like tree with impressive leaves; and the inclusion of birds like the kiskadee and the parrot — led the project to quickly grow. They began exploring all of Colombia’s ecosystems and pinpointing species that were both recognizable and easy to animate. With “Encanto” portraying Colombia in a way that Zapata felt was quite accurate, this collaboration illustrated how impactful successful interdisciplinary projects and collaborations can be.  

“I always wanted to be able to engage the public and people who are not necessarily biologists. I was always looking for opportunities to do it, and this was amazing,” Zapata said. 

Learn more at UCLA Newsroom. 

Image Source: The Walt Disney Studios