Annecy, France — The animated film ChaO, directed by Yasuhiro Aoki and produced by Studio 4°C, clinched the Jury Prize at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on Saturday. This year’s festival highlighted a diverse array of global animation, with other notable award recipients including Dandelion’s Odyssey, a French-Belgian production directed by Momoko Seto, which was honored with the Paul Grimault Award.
ChaO revolves around a unique tale set in a futuristic world where humans and mermaids navigate their lives side by side. The film follows Stephan, portrayed by Ōji Suzuka, a straightforward office worker whose existence takes an unexpected turn when he receives a marriage proposal from ChaO, a mermaid princess. Their story unfolds as Stephan grapples with the challenges of living with ChaO, who gradually helps him confront his emotional walls.
In addition to Suzuka, ChaO features Anna Yamada in the role of ChaO, bringing an energetic and heartfelt performance to the character. The film also boasts a talented supporting cast and collaboration from notable industry figures, including character designer Hirokazu Kojima and art director Hiroshi Takiguchi.
Acclaimed singer Kumi Kōda lends her voice to the film’s opening theme song, titled "ChaO!", specifically crafted for this romantic comedy. The partnership between Studio 4°C and GKIDS has helped generate excitement surrounding the release, which is set for August 15 in Japanese theaters.
Alongside Aoki’s work, Seto’s debut feature Dandelion’s Odyssey captured the jury’s attention with its unique storytelling approach. The film tells a dialogue-free narrative of four dandelion seeds being thrust into a journey through the cosmos, exploring the challenges they face while seeking out suitable conditions for survival.
Another award-winning entry, "The Graffiti" by Ryo Orikasa and the Yanai Initiative, received the Off-Limits Award for its evocative approach to animation. This short film employs a striking black-and-white aesthetic to bring to life a prose poem by Makoto Takayanagi, offering an artistic reflection on existential themes.
Implementing its avant-garde style, the Annecy festival serves to showcase a wide variety of animated films that push creative boundaries. Following its Annecy premiere, ChaO will also be featured at the JAPAN CUTS: Festival of New Japanese Film’s opening night in New York on July 10 and later at the Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal from July 16 to August 3.
This year’s awards affirm the ongoing innovation and international collaboration evident in the world of animation, with titles like ChaO and Dandelion’s Odyssey exemplifying the medium’s growing creative depth and global appeal.
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