Animation First 2026 Festival Announces Its Full Program

Animation First 2026 Festival Announces Its Full Program

The city of New York is preparing to host a new edition of the Animation First festival, organized by the French Institute/French Alliance. This event is consolidating as the main window in North America to discover the latest trends and innovation emerging from French and Francophone animation. Its 2026 programming has already been officially unveiled. 🎬

A Diverse Lineup with Premieres and a Central Tribute

The heart of the festival beats in its screenings, which include a carefully selected assortment of feature films and short films. Many of these works will compete in the official section, seeking recognition from the jury and the public. One of the must-see events will be the retrospective dedicated to director Florence Miailhe, a tribute to her career and influential style. Venues distributed throughout the city will also host a special showcase of animation for children and families, as well as films presented out of competition.

• Official Competitive Section with the most anticipated premieres of the year.
• Tribute Retrospective to filmmaker Florence Miailhe, showcasing her artistic evolution.
• Family Showcase with films selected for all audiences.

For many independent animators, presenting a short here generates an expectation similar to waiting for a complex scene to render the night before a crucial delivery.

A Forum for Dialogue and Knowledge Sharing

Beyond the screen, Animation First is built as a meeting point for the industry. The festival organizes roundtables and conferences where artists, technicians, and directors debate openly. These spaces allow for exchanging ideas on narrative, exploring emerging techniques, and analyzing how the sector is evolving. The goal is clear: to foster rich dialogue where professionals share their experience and enthusiasts can delve deeper into the medium. It is noteworthy that access to many of these complementary activities is free.

• Technical Conferences on current creative and technological processes.
• Meetings with Artists to learn firsthand about their working methods.
• Networking Spaces that facilitate connections with other industry professionals.

A Cultural Bridge Between Continents

Essentially, Animation First functions as an essential cultural bridge. It allows North American audiences and professionals to experience up close the dynamism and quality of European animation, with France at its epicenter. By announcing its full program so far in advance, the festival not only generates anticipation but also underscores its commitment to organizing a reference event that celebrates and disseminates the art of animation. 🎞️✨