Unlisted’s Annecy 2026 Recap: Three Days at Animation’s Creative Epicentre
Unlisted attended the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival, returning with plenty of inspiration, standout screenings and one major reason to celebrate. Here’s their recap.
The bags are unpacked, the rosé is chilled, and another unforgettable week in Annecy has come to a close.
Every June, this picturesque alpine town transforms into the global home of animation. Within hours of arriving, you’re crossing paths with collaborators from every corner of the industry, squeezing in coffees between screenings, comparing festival schedules, and somehow attempting to fit three presentations, four meetings and two parties into a single day.
Day one delivered plenty of inspiration. ILM’s Evolution of Excellence panel offered a fascinating look at the studio’s creative legacy and continued innovation, while Decorado proved a standout screening. It’s exciting to see adult animation continuing to push boundaries with bold storytelling and distinct artistic voices. Congratulations to Alberto Vázquez, Chelo Loureiro, Iván Miñambres and the entire team on an exceptional film.
Thursday continued the momentum with two memorable features:
- • Iron Boy left a lasting impression, following Christophe’s coming-of-age story against the backdrop of the agricultural Beauce region during the unforgiving winter of the late 1980s. Its painterly watercolour aesthetic was as technically accomplished as it was emotionally resonant.
- • Equally impressive was Bobbypills’ debut feature, Jim Queen. Balancing razor-sharp humour with genuine heart, the film pairs irreverent storytelling with a vibrant visual style that feels both fresh and effortlessly confident.
Before heading home, Friday brought one final highlight during the Commissioned Films screening. A huge congratulations to our directors, Illogic (WIZZ), whose film Unloved captivated audiences before taking home the Cristal Award for Best Commissioned Film.
The film beautifully demonstrates the power of combining live action and CG, seamlessly weaving handcrafted character performances with emotionally driven storytelling. It’s a wonderful reminder of what’s possible when technique serves the story.
Between world premieres, studio presentations, market meetings and countless conversations with friends old and new, Annecy once again reaffirmed why it remains the creative heartbeat of the global animation industry.
Until next year, Annecy. À bientôt.
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