Annecy, France — The 44th Annecy Animated Film Festival concluded with notable accolades, highlighting bold storytelling and creative animation. Ugo Bienvenu’s debut feature, Arco, captured the Crystal for Best Feature Film, while Little Amélie and the Character of Rain, directed by Maïlys Vallade and Liane-Cho Han, won the Audience Award.
The festival saw a record attendance of 18,200 accredited participants from 118 countries, showcasing the growing interest in animated cinema. The jury, comprising Sepideh Farsi, György Ráduly, and Pablo Picco, awarded the coveted Best Feature Film Crystal to Bienvenu for Arco, which had premiered as part of Cannes Film Festival’s Official Selection earlier this year.
Arco tells the imaginative tale of a ten-year-old boy navigating a technologically advanced future where rainbows serve as time machines. After a mishap during his first flight in a rainbow suit, Arco finds himself in a near-future world, where a young girl named Iris attempts to help him return home. The film was produced by Félix de Givry, who co-wrote the screenplay with Bienvenu, and has garnered support from Netflix and the CNC’s genre film fund. Distribution in France is handled by Diaphana, while Goodfellas manages worldwide sales.
In addition to Arco, several other film debuts were recognized. The Jury Prize went to ChaO, directed by Japan’s Yasuhiro Aoki. First features dominated the main competition, with the Paul Grimault Prize awarded to Dandelion’s Odyssey, directed by Momoko Seto, and the Gan Foundation Broadcasting Prize going to Olivia and the Invisible Earthquake by Irene Iborra of Spain.
The competitive Contrechamp section also celebrated emerging talent. The Grand Prize was awarded to Endless Cookie, directed by Canadian filmmakers Seth and Pete Scriver, while the Jury Prize was claimed by Gwang-jang, or The Square, from South Korea’s Bo-Sol Kim.
The festival recognized achievements across various categories, culminating in the announcement of winners in short films, television productions, and graduating films. The Crystal for Best Short Film was awarded to Pierre-Luc Granjon’s Les bottes de la nuit, and the Audience Award for Best TV Film went to Flippé, directed by Théo Grosjean and Mothy Richard.
As the festival drew to a close, it highlighted not only the artistry of animation but also its ability to transcend cultural and geographical boundaries. It continues to serve as an important platform for filmmakers, showcasing both established and fledgling talents in the vibrant world of animated storytelling.
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