
Annecy Festival 2026 Calls on the Global Animation Community
The French city of Annecy will host its international animated film festival from June 23 to 28, 2026. This gathering serves as the global meeting point where artists, studios, and fans present and analyze the latest creations in the industry. The agenda includes competition screenings, a professional market, and numerous complementary activities. 🎬
A Competitive and Diverse Program
The festival organizes its content into several sections that compete for awards. These categories cover feature films, short films, television series, and graduation projects. A jury composed of international experts is responsible for evaluating all submitted works to award the prizes. Beyond simple screenings, the event features retrospectives, tributes to key figures, and sessions debating the techniques and trends that shape the direction of animation.
Main activities of the program:- Official competition with various categories of works.
- Analysis sessions on technical and artistic evolution.
- Special events such as tributes and historical retrospectives.
Annecy is not just a festival; it is the annual thermometer of global animation.
The Commercial Heart: the MIFA Market
Parallel to the festival, the MIFA (Marché International du Film d'Animation) operates. This market functions as a nerve center for business where studios, distributors, and independent creators gather. Its main objective is to facilitate attendees in negotiating distribution rights, selling projects, and establishing future collaborations. Conferences and roundtables within MIFA allow for debating the future of the industry, exploring everything from traditional production workflows to the impact of tools like artificial intelligence for generating images.
Key functions of the MIFA market:- Space to close co-production and distribution deals.
- Forum to discuss technological innovations in the sector.
- Meeting point for networking among global professionals.
Planning Attendance is Crucial
For those wishing to attend, planning well in advance becomes an essential step. Annecy is a small alpine city whose accommodation offer is usually overwhelmed by high demand during the festival days. It is recommended to book travel and lodging months in advance to ensure presence at this unique event that combines art, technology, and business on the same stage. ✨