Rennes Festival: Key Gathering for Animation Professionals

Published on March 06, 2026 | Translated from Spanish

From April 7 to 12, Rennes becomes the French capital of animation. Its national festival not only presents an official selection, but also deploys a comprehensive professional program structured around five thematic axes. With more than 45 meetings and 600 attendees, this human-scale event is an exceptional opportunity for networking and updating knowledge in the sector of animated visual storytelling.

Modern facade of the Couvent des Jacobins in Rennes, the festival's venue, with animation posters at the entrance.

Thematic itineraries: a map for each project phase 🗺️

The program is organized into five itineraries that cover the complete cycle of a production. The Stop Motion axis delves into this artisanal technique. The Writing axis addresses the narrative foundation. Production focuses on practical aspects such as contracts and financing. Distribution analyzes distribution strategies and festivals. Finally, the Technical itinerary explores tools and workflows. This structure allows professionals, from screenwriters to producers, to attend practical conferences and roundtables, such as a notable one on 25 years of abandoned projects, extracting lessons directly applicable to their own developments.

Beyond projection: the value of in-person encounters 🤝

In an increasingly digital and remote industry, the festival emphasizes the importance of direct contact. Its accessibility and atmosphere facilitate informal exchanges and the presentation of future projects. This space for interdisciplinary dialogue is vital for weaving collaborations, understanding the concerns of other departments, and revitalizing passion for the craft, reminding us that animation cinema is, at its core, a collective effort.

How does participation in festivals like Rennes' influence the evolution of narrative and visual techniques within the animation industry?

(P.S.: Previz in cinema is like the storyboard, but with more chances for the director to change their mind.)