The 2025 Annecy Animation Festival proved once again that the annual French event stands strong as the capital of global animation. Attracting top indie talent from around the world, the biggest animation studios and thousands of students, this year’s festival emphasized seismic shifts in anime distribution, labor advocacy, cross-border collaboration and, of course, AI.
Below, Variety examines our ten biggest takeaways from Annecy’s 2025 edition.
1. The Big Picture
Annecy 2025 was the most global and ambitious edition to date, drawing a record 18,200 attendees from 118 countries, including first-time participants from Afghanistan, Guatemala, Montenegro and Rwanda. MIFA, the industry-focused market, hosted 6,550 accredited professionals and 196 stands, while 400 journalists and over 2,000 students filled theaters, forums and screenings. Le Pâquier lawn remained a nightly magnet, where tens of thousands gathered under the stars.
This year also marked the 40th anniversary of MIFA. Reflecting on its evolution from a modest co-production platform to animation’s premier business hub, MIFA leaned into themes of innovation and inclusion. A major initiative supporting women directors was unveiled: a new residency program launching in 2027 at the upcoming Cité internationale du cinéma d’animation, based in Annecy. The Women in the Animation Industry conference, presented in partnership with Women in Animation, tackled pay gaps, representation and sustainable career pathways.
Annecy’s success was powered by 650 volunteers, whose coordinated efforts underscored the scale and spirit of the festival.
2. A New Kind of Opening Night: Five Shorts, One Statement
Breaking tradition, Annecy opened not with a studio tentpole but a hand-picked slate of five diverse shorts: “9 Million Colours,” “Carcassonne–Acapulco,” “The Girl Who Cried Pearls,” “La Vie Avec un Idiot” and “Black” (from “Star Wars: Visions”).
The centerpiece moment, however, belonged to Bulgarian animator Theodore Ushev. After introducing his intense, stylized adaptation of Viktor Erofeev’s “Life With an Idiot,” Ushev took the stage and issued a blunt political statement: “Fuck Putin, fuck Trump and fuck Netanyahu.” His condemnation of authoritarianism electrified the audience, earning a standing ovation and setting a reflective tone that remained all week. As geopolitical tensions bled into creative conversations, the festival’s bubble was briefly and poignantly punctured.
3. Franchise Flood: Studios Return in Force
Major studios used Annecy 2025 as a soft launchpad for their upcoming slates. Netflix, cemented as one of Annecy’s biggest studio contributors for several years now, previewed “In Your Dreams,” a heartfelt sibling road trip through a surreal dreamscape, and revealed details about “Stranger Things: Tales from ’85,” its animated spinoff. A Work in Progress presentation was held for the streamers’ upcoming “Splinter Cell: Deathwatch” series adaptation. And the company provided a sneak peek at its future animation pipeline during a studio focus session, featuring “BoJack Horseman” creator Raphael Bob-Waksberg’s new show “Long Story Short,” projects from the Clash of Clans and Minecraft universes, several kids’ Dr. Seuss series, a new show from the “Big Mouth” crew, a Magic: The Gathering animated series and more.
Disney premiered footage from “Zootopia 2,” with director Jared Bush sharing new characters, footage and story arcs. Pixar offered an extended look at “Elio,” its long-gestating alien diplomacy comedy, and revealed its next original feature, “Gatto,” from “Lucca” director Enrico Casarosa. Disney’s MCU team showed off “Eyes of Wakanda,” while the Disney+ crew previewed “Dragon Striker.”
DreamWorks brought “The Bad Guys 2,” showing a slick heist sequence. Paramount leaned into nostalgia with footage from “The Smurfs Movie” and “The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants.” Sony wowed audiences with “Goat,” a visually bold sports action-comedy that blends 2D influences with a detailed CG urban fantasy.
Several Warner Bros. divisions showed off what they have planned for the near future in one of the company’s most impressive Annecy appearances in recent memory, which included producing the festival’s pre-screening bumper. A laundry list of new and returning titles was shown off by Warner Bros. Animation, Cartoon Network Studios, Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe, DC Studios and Adult Swim, which we’ll take a closer look at in a later takeaway.
4. Indie Animation Finds Its Footing
Despite the often overwhelming Hollywood presence, Annecy’s programming carved out space for independent, international and experimental work. None of the 10 films in the main competition were studio-backed, and multiple shorts and features tackled pressing social topics with unflinching candor.
Countries like India showcased original voices at events such as the Namaste MIFA pitching session, while smaller nations like Taiwan increased their presence at the festival, underscoring a growing global interest in non-Western indie talent. The festival’s short film competition also continued to champion bold, personal projects, showcasing low-to-no-budget solo works alongside high-profile studio shorts made by huge teams of artists.
Through artist residencies, immersive programs, and MIFA’s support schemes, Annecy’s ever-expanding ecosystem amplified indie innovation beyond the screen. The 2025 Festival Residency hosted three feature-length indie projects in development, offering crucial resources and mentorship. Meanwhile, curated short film programs like Intercontinental spotlighted animation from Indonesia, Mauritius, and more, reinforcing Annecy’s commitment to amplify underrepresented voices and experimental approaches.
5. Hungary in the Spotlight
Hungary was honored as the official country of focus at this year’s festival, showcasing over 80 animated works that span its 111-year history in the art form. Spearheaded by Ildikó Takács, the tribute program celebrated Hungary’s rich animation legacy through restored classics, experimental shorts, contemporary films and student projects, reflecting the country’s stylistic diversity and growing international presence. A standout feature is the immersive Hungarian Dome, Annecy’s first geodesic screening venue, which houses innovative pieces like the VR documentary “10 Hours Missing,” underscoring Hungary’s forward-thinking approach to storytelling.
Beyond screenings, Hungary’s vibrant presence extends into Annecy’s streets via the “Hunimation Hits the Streets” exhibition, bringing beloved animated characters into public view. With strong educational institutions like MOME and a supportive national film infrastructure, Hungary is cultivating the next generation of animators while continuing to attract international co-productions through incentives like its 30% tax rebate. The launch of Hunimation.com further signals a commitment to global outreach. For Hungary, Annecy 2025 is not only a celebration of past achievements but a bold step into a globally engaged future.
6. Celebration Overshadowed
The Festival’s closing ceremony took on a distinctly political and somber tone, overshadowing the usual celebratory mood. Against the backdrop of escalating violence in Gaza, Israel and Iran, multiple filmmakers used the platform to express solidarity with victims of war and oppression, especially in the Middle East.
Iranian filmmaker and Annecy jury member Sepideh Farsi was given a platform by the festival only hours after news had broken that Israel had launched an attack on her country. She delivered a poignant speech condemning what she called the “ongoing genocide in Gaza,” sharing personal grief over the death of a colleague, Fatma Hassouna, in an Israeli airstrike. She called on the animation community to act beyond cinema and become agents of real-world change, expressing hope for a “free Palestine” and a “free Iran.”
Shiva Sadegh Assadi, another jury member from Iran, read a poem by Parnia Abbasi, a young woman killed in the attacks, which was met with strong applause, reinforcing the evening’s reflective and politically charged atmosphere.
Several other filmmakers also shared messages of condemnation, consolation and hope, bookending the festival with highly politicized opening and closing ceremonies.
7. WBD’s Return to Form
Warner Bros. Discovery made a standout impression at this year’s festival. Central to their impact was the collaboration between Warner Bros. Animation, Cartoon Network Studios, and Hanna‑Barbera Studios Europe, who collectively delivered a Studio Spotlight in which they unveiled a robust slate of both new and returning series — from the renewal of “Teen Titans Go!” for Season 10 (making it DC’s longest-running series) to first looks at “Foster’s Funtime for Imaginary Friends,” “Adventure Time: Side Quests” and the upcoming “Gumball” revival, among others. The presentation’s big announcement, however, was that Rebecca Sugar is working on a new “Steven Universe” spinoff, “Lars of the Stars.”
This momentum was amplified by a highlight reel teaser trailer featuring Bugs Bunny produced by Hanna‑Barbera Europe, directed by Grant Orchard and executive produced by Ben Bocquelet, forming Annecy’s official trailer and showcasing WBD’s iconic characters front and center.
WBD companies also hosted high-impact panels and sessions, including a group discussion celebrating 25 years of Cartoon Network Studios featuring company legends Craig McCracken (“Powerpuff Girls”), Genndy Tartakovsky (“Dexter’s Laboratory”), Pendleton Ward (“Adventure Time”), J.G. Quintel (“Regular Show”), Rebecca Sugar (“Steven Universe”) and Adam Muto (“Adventure Time”). The company hosted a dedicated session for Adult Swim and a presentation about its other brands’ strategies in adult animation. The convergence of major announcements, strategic initiatives and creative showcases sealed Warner Bros. Discovery’s position as one of the festival’s most energetic exhibitors this year.
And, although most of the featured titles were reboots, remakes, sequels, prequels or based on existing IP, it’s worth noting that the majority of them are being headed by their original creators.
8. AI Sparks Debate and Protest
As has been the case for several years now, generative AI’s Annecy impact was impossible to ignore. The festival and its MIFA marketplace hosted panels on the technology’s creative potential, from asset generation to real-time animation, though the atmosphere leaned more toward anxiety than celebration.
On June 12, a protest gathered in front of the lake, led by French and North American union reps. Placards read “AI ≠ creativity,” “Artists are not datasets” and “Regulate AI now.”
Several shorts made with AI tools were screened throughout the week, generating heated discussions. While some filmmakers embraced AI as a creative collaborator, others warned of job losses and artistic dilution.
9. Legends Honored: Groening, Gondry, Quinn
Annecy’s Cristal Career Awards went to three giants in the field. Matt Groening spoke about the bizarre longevity of “The Simpsons,” joking that animation is “finally weird and mainstream at the same time.” Michel Gondry reflected on the challenges of blending live action and animation in films like “The Science of Sleep” and teased new work in development. Joanna Quinn celebrated hand-drawn storytelling and the power of humor as resistance, citing her film “Affairs of the Art” as a lifelong labor of love.
All three emphasized risk-taking, authenticity and resilience, an ethos that resonated deeply in a week filled with questions about automation, corporatization and global instability.
10. Key Announcements Made at Annecy 2025
*Pixar announced the new, original animated feature “Gatto”
*Rebecca Sugar announced a new “Steven Universe” spinoff at CNS, “Lars of the Stars”
*Sugar was also unveiled as a part of a new Adult Swim special alongside Ian Jones-Quartey, Patrick McHale and Pendleton Ward
*Jorge Gutiérrez unveiled his next feature project, “La Venganza Rodríguez”
*Laika is producing a new “ParaNorman” short and re-releasing the original feature
*Warner Bros. Animation and Hanna Barbera are developing a series based on Gerry Anderson’s work
*GKIDS acquired Annecy player “Another World”
*Kid Koala’s main competition player “Space Cadet” sold wide
*“Tales from the Magic Garden” similarly sold wide
*Crunchyroll acquired theatrical rights to the latest “Jujutsu Kaisen” film
*Disney+ acquired the anime-inspired “Miraculous” spinoff “Miraculous Stellar Force”
*DC Studios/WBA have greenlit a “Mister Miracle” series
*Passion Paris and Amplitude Studios are co-developing a series set in the Endless Universe
*Fortiche and ARTE France are teaming on the coming-of-age series “Miss Saturne”
*BBC Studios and Blink Industries announced “Children Vs Battle SuperStars”
*MIAM!’s “Edmond and Lucy” got a Season 2 Greenlight
*Tencent Video dealt “Blades of the Guardians” in key European territories
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