Highly recommend going with 2 encodes for this one: full frame and theatrical 1.85. It was animated to be seen in the latter ratio.
Highly disagree. I think they should go for a 1.66:1 ratio for this film, as it’s typically how Disney distributed films would be. 1.85:1 was a common matte in America but I feel it would cut out too much info in this particular case. 1.66:1 would be the best to keep a cinematic feel while also keeping in mind the intended matted ratio (which as far as I’m aware, isn’t known; just that it was matted to a widescreen format in film festivals).
Now now, don’t be so hasty there; I didn’t say I was opposed to 1.66. In fact I welcome that because it’s also a valid theatrical ratio. It’d undoubtedly work here. That said, 1.85 or 1.66 would technically be correct!