Canada arrives at this year’s Annecy International Animation Film Festival with a slate that is as diverse in tone and subject matter as it is rich in innovation. From searing political features to whimsical short films, Canadian creators once again prove they are major players in the global animation arena. Here’s a closer look at some of the high-profile Canadian titles and co-productions in the official selection at this year’s festival.
FEATURE FILMS – OFFICIAL COMPETITION
“Allah Is Not Obliged,” Zaven Najjar (Belgium, Canada, France, Luxembourg)
Based on Ahmadou Kourouma’s celebrated novel, this animated adaptation by Zaven Najjar is a bold and harrowing account of a child soldier’s journey through West Africa’s brutal civil wars. Blending animation with documentary-style narration, Najjar crafts a visually arresting and emotionally resonant exploration of violence, survival and lost innocence.
‘Allah Is Not Obliged’
Credit: Annecy
“Death Does Not Exist,” Félix Dufour-Laperrière
Following his acclaimed “Archipelago,” Dufour-Laperrière returns with another poetic, philosophically rich feature. “Death Does Not Exist” is less a narrative film and more an existential meditation, layering hand-drawn textures and voiceovers into a lyrical journey through memory, loss and metaphysical wonder.
‘Death Does Not Exist’
Courtesy of Annecy
FEATURE FILMS – CONTRECHAMP COMPETITION
“Endless Cookie,” Seth Scriver, Pete Scriver
The Scriver brothers dive into absurdist territory with “Endless Cookie,” a surreal, offbeat tale that plays like a stoner parable for late-stage capitalism. Their crudely charming animation style belies sharp social commentary, as a group of misfits chase after a never-ending dessert.
‘Endless Cookie’
Credit: Annecy
“Space Cadet” – Eric San aka Kid Koala
Musician and multimedia artist Kid Koala ventures into feature-length animation with “Space Cadet,” based on his 2011 graphic novel. This dialogue-free sci-fi story is narrated through music and motion, as a young girl astronaut navigates space and solitude. The film is deeply atmospheric, combining handmade aesthetics with an emotive, electronic score to craft a meditative journey about separation and connection.
‘Space Cadet’
Credit: Annecy
SHORT FILM COMPETITION
“Bread Will Walk,” Alex Boya
Alex Boya’s signature style, precise draftsmanship blended with chaotic surrealism, is on full display in this nightmarish parable featuring the voice work of Jay Baruchel. “Bread Will Walk” blurs the line between grotesque comedy and cautionary tale as sentient bread zombies trudge through a broken world.
‘Bread Will Walk’
Credit: Annecy
“Fusion,” Richard Reeves
Known for using direct-on-film animation, Richard Reeves returns with “Fusion,” a kinetic, abstract short scored by a pulsating jazz composition. Every frame is a painted rhythm, forming a hypnotic experience that’s more musical than narrative. Reeves continues to push boundaries with meditative control and explosive energy.
‘Fusion’
Credit: Annecy
“Hairy Legs,” Andrea Dorfman
Dorfman, known for her feminist lens and handmade style, delivers an empowering short that’s playful yet poignant. “Hairy Legs” is a colorful ode to body autonomy, presenting one woman’s decision to embrace her natural self in a society obsessed with grooming.
‘Hairy Legs’
Credit: Annecy
“The Girl Who Cried Pearls,” Chris Lavis, Maciek Szczerbowski
This hauntingly beautiful fable from the Clyde Henry duo blends stop-motion, puppetry and gothic design into a dark fairytale. Following a girl who cries pearls and the boy who secretly falls in love with her, the story is rich with symbolic depth, tackling themes of exploitation, desire and transformation. Lavis and Szczerbowski have crafted one of the year’s most visually arresting animated shorts, and this title should get lots of awards recognition as the year progresses.
Credit: NFB
“The Gnawer of Rocks,” Louise Flaherty
An Inuit tale reimagined through atmospheric animation, “The Gnawer of Rocks” is both a cultural preservation and a chilling tale. Flaherty’s work stands out for its minimalistic style and narrative restraint, letting the stark beauty of Arctic folklore speak for itself.
‘The Gnawer of Rocks’
Credit: Annecy
PERSPECTIVES
“Bloody Mess,” Megan Wennberg
A raw, satirical take on menstrual stigma, “Bloody Mess” turns a taboo into animated liberation, balancing personal anecdotes with educational bite. It’s advocacy through absurdism: accessible, memorable and necessary.
‘Bloody Mess’
Credit: Annecy
“Ibuka, Justice,” Justice Rutikara
This powerful documentary revisits the Rwandan genocide through the lens of Canadian survivors and justice seekers. Rutikara uses spare visuals and voice-driven storytelling to navigate trauma, remembrance and the pursuit of reconciliation.
Credit: Annecy
YOUNG AUDIENCES
“The Great Annual Party of the Creatures of the Moon,” Francis Desharnais
A joyful, whimsical entry for younger viewers, Desharnais’s film celebrates difference and community through a lunar festival attended by eccentric monsters. With charming visuals and a celebratory tone, the film offers a gentle allegory on inclusion and self-acceptance.
‘The Great Annual Party of the Creatures of the Moon’
Credit: Annecy
GRADUATION FILMS
“Passageways,” Geneviève Tremblay, Milla Cummings
From emerging talents Tremblay and Cummings comes a dreamlike, nonlinear short exploring themes of identity and change. Fluid transitions and morphing landscapes evoke an emotional liminality, capturing the essence of growing up and moving on. A strong debut with visual and emotional sophistication.
‘Passageways’
Credit: Annecy
COMMISSIONED FILMS
CNESST “Hanging by a Thread,” Dale Hayward, Pierre Dalpé
A compelling safety PSA, “Hanging by a Thread” uses stop-motion to dramatize the fragility of workplace well-being. Hayward and Dalpé bring their tactile expertise to an urgent public issue, wrapping advocacy in captivating visuals that demand attention.
‘Hanging By a Thread’
Credit: Annecy
“South of Midnight,” Chris Lavis, Maciek Szczerbowski
This atmospheric teaser for the upcoming video game “South of Midnight” brings Lavis and Szczerbowski’s moody craftsmanship into the gaming world. Blending Southern Gothic imagery with meticulous stop-motion, the spot sets a tone of eerie beauty and narrative intrigue.
‘South of Midnight’
Credit: Annecy
Trailer: 22nd Sommets du cinéma d’animation de Montréal, Daniel Gies
A vibrant, energetic showcase, Gies’ trailer captures the spirit of Montreal’s leading animation festival with flair, combining dynamic movement with a celebration of artistic diversity.
Trailer: 22nd Sommets du cinéma d’animation de Montréal
Credit: Annecy
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