Every June, for one week, Annecy becomes the world capital of animated film. It is an opportunity for the public to discover the latest cartoons in preview, but also to meet the great directors and the new technologies in the field.
The Annecy Festival
This festival was created in 1960, so it is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2020. Originally, it was the dynamism of a film club in Annecy that created the International Animation Film Days in Annecy. Today, professionals of all nationalities meet to elect the best animated film of the year, which will receive the Crystal, and other prizes are awarded, such as the Audience Award.
What is interesting for the visitor is that this festival is open to the general public. Free screenings are organised on the large lawn of the Pâquier every day of the week. The public can also attend film previews at the Pathé-Gaumont cinema in Annecy at Courier.
It’s a magical atmosphere to pass through the city, the professionals of the moving image, easily recognisable as they all wear the festival badge around their necks. You can hear many languages being spoken on the café terraces. The event brings together teachers, students, directors and producers, as well as lesser-known artists who have the opportunity to show their work to a large audience. Registration for the sessions is open to the general public on the official website of the event.
Animated films for all audiences
Animation is not just about cartoons. It also includes paper cut-outs, modelling clay and stop motion techniques.
The Festival offers an official selection in different categories:
- Feature films
- Short films
- Television and commissioned films
- Graduation films
Each selection is awarded a prize, which is very important for the winning studio.
The International Animation Film Market
FIFA also includes the MIFA, the International Animation Film Market. This market is located on the Albigny peninsula. It is so successful, with more than 10,000 accreditations in 2019, that it now extends onto pontoons on the lake. It is the place where film producers and broadcasters meet every year to buy or sell programmes. Over 800 international exhibiting companies are welcomed at each edition.
Festival poster
Each edition is illustrated by a beautiful poster designed by an internationally renowned artist.
Become a volunteer at the International Animation Film Festival
For each edition, the festival recruits many volunteers to ensure the smooth running of the event. This is a great opportunity for animation and film enthusiasts, creative industries and event organisers. Volunteer positions include: flow management, welcoming the public and festival goers, shop sales and VR (virtual reality) demonstrations. A great opportunity to fill a line on your CV. If you are interested: download the application form.
The Hivernal festival
The festival organisers, through CITIA, wish to prolong the public’s interest in animated films. A festival in winter mode is therefore scheduled every year at the beginning of December in many screening rooms in Annecy. The programme is attractive: a best of of of the summer Annecy edition, conferences with the film teams, animation workshops and of course preview screenings.
The City of the Image in motion
The CITIA was created in 2006 in Annecy. This project brings together 3 axes: training, economy and culture by implementing permanent exhibitions at the Annecy Animation Film Museum. High-level training in moving images is provided at the Gobelins school. The Papèteries site in Cran-Gevrier is home to many companies specialising in this innovative and rapidly developing industry.
Trailer of the Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2018
The 2023 edition
The 2023 edition of the Annecy International Animation Film Festival will be held from 11 to 17 June. Mexican animation will be highlighted.
For the first time, it will last 7 days and will start on Sunday evening with the traditional ceremony. This will take place in the main hall of Bonlieu. Some screenings will also be offered in the afternoon. Thanks to this decision, Monday can be considered as a full day of the International Animation Film Festival. The MIFA will be held from 13 to 16 June 2023.
Past editions
The 2022 edition
This year, the 2022 International Animation Film Festival will take place in its classic form after two editions in 2020 and 2021 disrupted by the health crisis.
The Festival will take place from 13 to 18 June 2022 and the International Animation Film Market from 14 to 18 June 2022. The guest of honour for this edition is Switzerland.
For this 2022 edition, the festival has decided to honour two great figures of animation cinema: the Frenchman Michel Ocelot and the American director and scriptwriter Jennifer Lee.
The 2021 edition
The 2021 edition of the Annecy International Animation Film Festival will take place from 14 to 19 June 2021. The International Animation Film Market will take place from 15 to 18 June 2021.
This edition will focus on African animation and in particular on Nigerian artists. Tributes to animation from the African continent will also be screened. This edition will also celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Festival.
See the films selected for the official selection.
The 2020 edition
This year, due to the coronavirus epidemic, the festival will take place from 15 to 30 June 2020 in digital format.
