Preview of Annecy Festival/Mifa Event

The Annecy Festival is set to return from June 9 to 15, showcasing a diverse lineup of animated films from around the world. The festival serves as a pivotal launch platform for Hollywood studios, independent filmmakers, and emerging talents. This year, 23 titles have been selected from a pool of 100 submissions, highlighting a mix of European and Asian cinema.

In the Official Competition, audiences can look forward to European entries like “Into the Wonderwoods” and “Rock Bottom,” alongside films such as Japan’s “Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window” and China’s “The Storm.” The Contrechamp category will feature works from Spain, South Korea, the Philippines, and Pakistan, marking a significant milestone for the South Asian nation at the festival.

Kicking off the screenings on June 9 is Michel Hazanavicius’ “The Most Precious of Cargoes.” Attendees can also anticipate sneak previews of upcoming films like Paramount’s “Transformers One,” DreamWorks Animation’s “The Wild Robot,” and Alain Chabat’s “Asterix and the Big Fight.” Additionally, there will be master classes with industry veterans Wes Anderson and Terry Gilliam, who is set to receive an Honorary Cristal this year.

Mickaël Marin, CEO of the Annecy Festival, emphasizes the importance of the event beyond just a showcase for completed works. The Annecy International Animation Film Market (Mifa) has evolved into a key business-to-business event for financing new animated projects in television and film. Marin highlights the growth of the animation industry and the festival’s commitment to supporting emerging artists and studios worldwide.

With over 4,000 students in attendance this year, the Annecy Festival aims to educate the next generation of animators and provide a platform for industry executives to discuss sector challenges and opportunities. The event offers debates, conferences, and masterclasses to help shape the future of animation.

The festival’s offerings extend to all aspects of the industry, supporting productions at every stage of development. Through pitching events, market screenings, networking opportunities, and panels on cutting-edge topics like the metaverse and AI, Annecy plays an active role in nurturing the global animation community. This year, a new section dedicated to XR and gaming content has been introduced, highlighting the festival’s commitment to innovation and creativity.