The Biggest News and Reveals from the Annecy Animation Festival

Every June, the global animation community converges on the picturesque French lakeside town of Annecy, momentarily transforming it into the heartbeat of the industry. From high-powered studio executives chasing the next blockbuster to independent auteurs unveiling intimate, handcrafted narratives, the town becomes a melting pot. Here, anime visionaries, legendary television animators, and emerging digital artists share quiet moments in local cafes. It is a surreal and vibrant gathering, and we are thrilled to be reporting from the center of the action.

Polygon is on the ground at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival to capture the pulse of this creative collision. It is a unique ecosystem where gargantuan franchise announcements share the spotlight with avant-garde experimental shorts, and where casual conversation often pivots from the majesty of the French Alps to the finer details of character design. The spirit of discovery here is infectious.

We are dedicated to documenting the highlights, the breakthroughs, and the industry-shifting reveals as they happen. Here is our ongoing roundup of the festival’s most essential updates.

Annecy Partner: Warner Bros. Animation Spotlight

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• • Warner Bros. Pictures Animation confirms a new Powerpuff Girls feature film is in production
  • The visionary behind Hazbin Hotel unveils a bold new project centered on prehistoric magic

Essential Breaking News

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• • Netflix’s One Piece reboot opens with a stunning, high-fidelity reimagining of the classic saga
  • A visceral new clip from Blue Eye Samurai season 2 showcases Mizu’s brutal London showdown
  • Keanu Reeves set to star in an innovative live-action and animation hybrid Lego feature

Global Perspectives

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• • An awe-inspiring short film composed of 75 hand-painted oil canvases pushes the boundaries of visual storytelling
  • Crunchyroll grows its international footprint with a new French thriller from the architect of Snowpiercer

Source: Polygon