BIC® is proud to announce its official partnership with DreamWorks Animation for the upcoming animated film Forgotten Island, which features BIC's iconic 4-Color™ Pen. To celebrate the partnership, BIC® is launching the BIC® 4-Color™ Pen Pals program, an international exchange designed to foster global connections and cultural appreciation between Filipino and U.S. students. By pairing the vibrant storytelling of Forgotten Island with the physical act of writing, BIC® is leading the charge in making handwriting the ultimate tool for authentic global expression.

BIC, DreamWorks Animation's Forgotten Island and We Are Teachers Team Up to Inspire Creativity

As younger generations lead a resurgence in snail mail, BIC® is tapping into this cultural trend to help students get offline and make meaningful connections. Studies show that handwriting serves as a powerful "brain workout" that enhances cognitive functions like memory, critical thinking, and fine motor skills. Additionally, it offers a deeply personal and intentional form of expression that fosters authentic global connections in an increasingly digital world.

The BIC® 4-Color™ Pen Pal program focuses on U.S. students in grades 3 through 5, facilitating connections with peers in the Philippines while introducing students to Philippine culture, geography, mythology and folklore. The program draws inspiration from DreamWorks Animation's Forgotten Island, which follows two lifelong best friends who are transported to a fantastical island filled with magical and mythological creatures they grew up hearing stories about from their Filipino families.

BIC® partnered with We Are Teachers for this initiative, tapping into its engaged online community of educators. This isn't just a classroom project; it's a celebration of the unique, personal connection that only ink on paper can provide, launching ahead of the film's September 25, 2026 release.

Limited-Edition Pen Pal Kits for Classrooms

To fuel this analog revival, BIC® and We Are Teachers have created exclusive Pen Pal Kits designed to turn classrooms into hubs of creativity. At the center of each kit is the iconic BIC® 4-Color™ Pen, the ultimate instrument for students to craft letters that are as unique as they are. These sought-after kits will be available to 250 U.S. classrooms on a first-come, first-served basis via weareteachers.com/free-pen-pal-kit-from-bic.

Each custom kit includes:

• Custom stationery and envelopes inspired by Forgotten Island artwork and themes.


• BIC® 4-Color™ Pen for students to write, illustrate, and personalize their letters using four ink colors in one pen.


• Curriculum-aligned educational resources developed by We Are Teachers featuring lesson plans and classroom activities that introduce students to Philippine geography, culture, and folklore while supporting core learning standards.


• A map of the Philippines and cultural one-sheets designed to enhance the international exchange experience.

The limited-edition BIC® 4-Color™ Pen Pal Kits will be available for teachers to request starting September 9, 2026. Once the physical kits have been claimed, educators can download a digital version at weareteachers.com/free-pen-pal-kit-from-bic. To learn more about BIC's educational initiatives, visit corporate.bic.com.

"There is something special about the weight of a pen in your hand and the texture of paper," said Brian Manotok, Stationery Brand Manager for North America at BIC. "With the BIC® 4-Color™ Pen, we're not just providing a tool; we're providing a passport to a more personal and intentional way of communicating. This partnership with Forgotten Island and DreamWorks Animation allows us to bring the joy of offline connection to life for students, making the art of handwriting more relevant and exciting than ever."