Reporting from Annecy, where animation takes centre stage — and the world listens.
The 2025 edition of the Annecy International Animation Festival has wrapped. Set against a postcard-perfect backdrop of lakes, mountains, and artful chaos, this year’s event offered not just premieres and pitches, but a renewed sense of purpose: giving global stories room to breathe.
Whether you’re a SundayFringe regular looking for future favourites or an artist seeking inspiration, here’s your full update — from Cristal winners to breakout debuts — and what you should watch next.
🏆 Key Award Winners
Best Feature (Cristal): Arco Best Short (Cristal): The Night Boots (a striking pinscreen animation by Pierre-Luc Granjon)
Must-watch tip: The Night Boots stood out for its bold textures and quiet confidence. Seek it out if you’re drawn to silent storytelling with mood.
International Highlight: Desi Oon (India) — A short film animated with real wool by Studio Eeksaurus
Available on YouTube — worth watching for its handcrafted charm and cultural nuance.
Quote of the Week: Brazilian artist Rosana Urbes, who won for Sappho, described Annecy as “a window for the imagination of the world.”
🌍 Under-the-Radar Stories to Know
🇨🇩 Kesho — Animation from the Democratic Republic of Congo
Presented in a live pitch session where peacocks literally interrupted the mic, this stop-motion short from Frank Mukunday and Tétshim uses cardboard and stones to tell urgent environmental stories.
Why you should watch for it: It’s raw, grounded, and emotionally sincere. Their earlier short Machini is already a hidden gem.
🇳🇬 Animation Nigeria Takes the Stage
This year’s “Hidden Gems” showcase featured:
Ugo and Sim Sim by Tonye Faloughi-Ekezie — a heartwarming project inspired by her children, including one with Down syndrome
A celebration of disability inclusion told with colour and joy.
The Travails of Ajadi by Adeoye Adetunji — a deeply personal stop-motion tale of resilience
Adetunji’s moment on stage, reflecting on hopelessness turned to hope, moved the room.
Crocodile Dance by Shofela Coker (of Moremi) — a vibrant co-production with South Africa
Already an award winner; keep an eye on this for future festival circuits.
Tip: Follow Animation Nigeria’s progress — their fourth year at Annecy is their strongest yet, and the momentum is real.
🧵 Heirloom — The Standout of the Festival
Directed by Upamanyu Bhattacharyya (creator of Wade), Heirloom is a hand-drawn feature animated using embroidered fabric — made by craftswomen in rural India.
The pitch session received a standing ovation Each embroidered frame takes days to complete The team works remotely, powered by custom-built collaboration software
Why this matters: It’s not just beautiful — it’s redefining how we think about animation as labour, heritage, and art.
What to do: Track Heirloom on social media or industry news. When it releases, see it in a cinema if you can — this is tactile animation history in the making.
🇲🇽 I Am Frankelda — Mexico’s First Stop-Motion Feature
The Ambriz brothers returned to Annecy with a finished version of I Am Frankelda, a spooky, creative, and proudly Mexican feature.
If you love Coraline-style gothic with cultural flair, put this on your radar. Warner backed part of it, and it deserves global screens.
💼 Beyond the Screen: Industry Insights
MIFA pavilions buzzed with co-production deals, especially among underrepresented countries Emerging animators spoke about access: not just funding, but mentorship, residencies, and structure Several creators shared how Annecy residencies had directly launched their careers (Wade, Heirloom, and others)
Tip for creators: If you’re working on something unique, explore Annecy’s development programs and residency calls. This is where festival dreams start.
🍞 The Fringe Side of Annecy
We accidentally bought €20 worth of cookies (no regrets) You’ll spot producers in line for baguette sandwiches just like students The Alps really are as beautiful as they say Convenience-store snacks: elite tier
Tip: Go early for screenings, and don’t skip the smaller pavilions — that’s where the wildest ideas often hide.
🎬 What SundayFringe Readers Should Watch Next
Here’s your post-Annecy viewing list:
Title
Why Watch It
Desi Oon
Indian wool animation with heart (on YouTube)
Machini
Previous work by the Kesho team — gritty, handmade brilliance
I Am Frankelda
Gothic stop-motion from Mexico
Heirloom (when released)
Textile + story = unforgettable
Ugo and Sim Sim (in development)
Joyful inclusion for kids
Crocodile Dance (trailer expected soon)
Cross-continent co-production done right
🧳 Final Thoughts
Annecy 2025 reminded us why we care about animation: not just for its visuals, but for the stories, cultures, and hands that shape it. This was a festival of resilience and resourcefulness, of artists doing more with less, and of creativity that refuses to wait for permission.
The next Annecy is already set — June 14–20, 2026. But we’ll be living off the energy of this one for a long time.
Until then — keep creating, keep watching, and keep rooting for artists in every corner of the world.
With love from France,
#SundayFringe
🌍✨🎥
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