This weekend, the highly anticipated Annecy International Animation Film Festival kicks off with a captivating masterclass led by renowned French filmmaker Michel Gondry. Known for his imaginative storytelling, Gondry will also be honored with a prestigious career award during the opening ceremony, alongside iconic figures such as Matt Groening, the creator of The Simpsons, and UK animation director Joanna Quinn. This marks Gondry’s first visit to the picturesque lakeside festival, recognized as the largest animation festival globally. Although he previously showcased his work Is the Man Who Is Tall Happy?: An Animated Conversation with Noam Chomsky at the festival in 2014, where it won the best French film award.
Festival artistic director Marcel Jean draws an intriguing parallel between Gondry and 2024’s guest of honor, Terry Gilliam, stating, “Michel is exactly like Terry Gilliam. He comes from the world of animation; that’s where he started. We’ve wanted to invite him for a long time, and the planets have finally aligned.” This year, the festival is placing a unique emphasis on animation in music videos, a realm in which Gondry has made significant contributions through collaborations with artists like Björk, The White Stripes, and Daft Punk.
In a fresh twist on tradition, the opening ceremony will feature the world premieres of five short films instead of a single feature film. Recent opening films have included The Most Precious of Cargoes (2024), Sirocco and the Kingdom of Air Streams (2023), and Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022). “We wanted to reaffirm the significance of short films at Annecy,” explains Jean. This year, the festival received an overwhelming number of world premiere submissions, prompting the decision to kick off with a dynamic lineup of shorts.
Among the featured works are 9 Million Colours by emerging Czech director Bára Anna Stejskalová, who gained acclaim for her short film Love Is Just A Death Away, and Shinya Ohira’s Star Wars: Visions – “Black,” which is the first Japanese entry in the Visions collection produced by Lucasfilm for Disney+. The lineup also includes The Girl Who Cried Pearls, the latest stop-motion creation from Canadian duo Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski, known for their Oscar-nominated short film Madam Tutli-Putli. Additionally, Bulgarian Oscar-nominated director Theodore Ushev returns with La Vie avec un idiot, which explores the absurdities of living with an idiot as state-sanctioned punishment.
The blend of indie filmmakers and globally recognized animation icons, such as Matt Groening, encapsulates the spirit of Annecy. This festival is unique in that it honors both independent and studio productions with equal respect and attention. The ongoing commitment to supporting animation professionals across all styles has garnered a global fanbase, with 17,400 accredited attendees expected this year, including 6,500 participants at the MIFA market and 4,120 students, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
At the heart of the festival is the 21-title Main Competition, featuring established names like Sylvain Chomet with A Magnificent Life and Félix Dufour-Laperrière with Death Does Not Exist, alongside newcomers like Ugo Bienvenu with Arco and Momoko Seto with Dandelion’s Odyssey. Jean acknowledges the abundance of films with French ties this year, attributing it to France’s influential role in financing independent feature films. He emphasizes that while many entries may appear French, the directors and narratives represent diverse global perspectives.
Beyond the competition, attendees can look forward to a series of works-in-progress, behind-the-scenes insights, and sneak peeks. Major Hollywood studios will be well-represented, with Disney kicking off the Making of Sessions on June 9 with a presentation of the new action-adventure series Eyes Of Wakanda, set to launch on Disney+ on August 6, led by director and executive producer Todd Harris. “It’s a big year for Disney at Annecy,” notes Jean, highlighting the participation of various Disney divisions, including Pixar, Marvel Animation, and Lucasfilm.
Further highlights from the Disney lineup include a Pixar showcase on Friday, featuring footage from Elio and previews of Hoppers and Toy Story 5, presented by Annecy regular and Pixar’s CCO, Pete Docter. Netflix and Warner Bros. Animation will also make a significant impact, with Warner celebrating the 25th anniversary of Cartoon Network Studios through a special event featuring creators like Genndy Tartakovsky (Dexter’s Laboratory) and Craig McCracken (The Powerpuff Girls).
Jean remarks on the recent surge of innovation in TV series, citing Adventure Time as a prime example. He points out the influence of creators like Pendleton Ward and Rebecca Sugar, whose works have expanded the boundaries of animated storytelling. Warner Bros. Animation will host work-in-progress sessions for Get Jiro, based on the popular graphic novels set in a near-future Los Angeles, and a presentation for Bat-Fam.
In addition, Netflix will hold its traditional Next on Netflix Animation event, spotlighting the upcoming From Stranger Things: Tales From ‘85 animated series and the feature film In Your Dreams, primed for awards season recognition. Sony Pictures Animation will unveil GOAT, an animated sports-themed production, while DreamWorks Animation will showcase Bad Guys 2, directed by Pierre Perifel. Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon will also present exciting projects, including Smurfs and The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants.
With a diverse array of films, masterclasses, and events, the Annecy International Animation Film Festival promises to be a thrilling celebration of creativity and innovation in animation.
