Runs from June 8th to 14th
When the Annecy International Animation Film Festival is the destination to see what’s coming in this genre, I’m always excited to look at what this event will screen. Not only will some mainstream works get their premiere but also it’s the place to showcase truly art house works! Although I can’t afford to travel there, I can always look from afar!
Also, The National Film Board of Canada often has a work or two to showcase. What I offer are my top picks in what to see for those able to attend. Some films have been entered official competition and others will make their debuts. The quotes are from Annecy’s webpage and I’ve included some commentary on other works I have knowledge on.
There’s a few that even have a date for regular release, and I can’t wait! The movies with known dates will have this entry.
A Magnificent Life
by Sylvain Chomet
Release date Oct 15, 2025.
Wild Bunch Distribution
“Sylvain Chomet makes his comeback with this feature film dedicated to Marcel Pagnol. It is such a delight to see the filmmaker’s sophisticated graphics again, and for the first time he uses dialogue to capture the musical Marseille accent.”
Arco
by Ugo Bienvenu
“True to his graphic style, Ugo Bienvenu offers us an astonishing first science-fiction feature film for all the family, in which a 10-year-old girl takes in a boy of the same age from the future.”
ChaO
by Yasuhiro Aoki
“It is an understatement to say that Momoko Seto’s debut feature was eagerly awaited! We are delighted to discover that, from the very first seconds of the film, we were fascinated by this original imagery, a skilful blend of scientific shooting techniques and digital animation. Like dandelion seeds, we are hurtling along a strange and perilous journey…”
Into the Mortal World
by Zhong Ding
This film follows Jin Feng’s journey in the mortal world to prove his mother’s innocence after someone accuses the Goddess of Weaving of a crime related to the “Twenty-Eight Mansions.” Along the way, he’ll meet Xiofan, a mortal who has the opposite mission, and what transpires is said to be magical. Not only will it explore what familial bonds are like in this world, but also reveal what mythology is important in this culture.
Little Amélie (or The Character of Rain)
By Maïlys Vallade and Liane-Cho Han
Release date
June 25, 2025 at Haut et Court
“Until the age of two and a half years old, Amélie describes herself as a digestive tube, inert and vegetative. Then comes the crucial event that makes her leap into childhood. She discovers language, parents, brothers and sisters, a heavenly garden, passions (Japan and water), aversions (to carp), seasons and time. Everything that, from the age of three, constitutes the human person forever. Because at that age, everything is played out, happiness as well as tragedy.”
Lesbian Space Princess
by Emma Hough Hobbs and Leela Varghese
This adult animated comedy introduces Princess Saira, daughter of the flamboyant lesbian Queens of planet Clitopolis. She is rather introverted, and when her bounty hunter girlfriend, Kiki, breaks up with her, and gets kidnapped, just what they want for ransom is not in this girl’s hands. In what ensues is a wacky comedy that deals with typical teenager problems, along with other themes important for those dealing with a galaxy of not so open-minded individuals.
Memory Hotel
By Heinrich Sabl
When this movie transports viewers back to 1945, Sophie will have to deal with a lot of problems that happened back then in world history. Not only are there Nazis but also there’re the Russians. This young lady’s family will have to escape! When this narrative is played out in stop-motion, many curious cinema enthusiasts will want to look!
Tales from the Magic Garden
By David Súkup, Patrik Pašš, Leon Vidmar, and Jean-Claude Rozec
Release Date: Spring 2026
“Four directors from four countries join forces to create a bundle of tales spotlighting the imagination. We’re almost surprised to find so much cohesion in this children’s film, whose very genesis proves that across different origins and cultures, collaboration and understanding are possible.”
Stranger Things
By The Duffer Brothers
When the teenage actors from Netflix’s Stranger Things have all grown up, continuing this franchise on other fronts is expected! What we know so far is that this series will honour the classic Saturday morning cartoon style format, be set in 1985, and expand the lore in new ways that the live-action cannot.
Aang: The Last Airbender
By Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko with Lauren Montgomery and William Mata directing
Not much is known about the first film of the trilogy, other than it takes place before Legend of Korra. Here, grown up versions of Aang, Katara, Sokka, Zuko, and Toph will play out, and perhaps set the tone which will become the other series. Although new actors have been cast to voice these versions, perhaps there may be a surprise or two!
An early look of this film may well play at this festival, and that alone will make the trip to Annecy worthwhile!
Annecy Film Festival Teaser
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