The Annecy International Animation Film Festival, one of the world’s leading events for animated content, has revealed the competitive selections for its 2025 edition, which will run from June 8 to 14. This year, 182 works from 54 countries will compete across Short Films, Graduation Films, TV Films, and Commissioned Films, marking another edition of global diversity and creative innovation.
Gender representation remains a strong focus in Annecy’s selection: 45% of the competing works were directed or co-directed by women. The Graduation Films section, which highlights emerging talent, is particularly notable in this regard, with 65% female direction.
The Short Film competition features 72 titles from 40 countries. Artistic Director Marcel Jean described the 2025 lineup as “a happy mix of newcomers with a host of first works as well as established filmmakers.” Among the 35 films in the Official Short Films category, 15 are stop-motion, signaling sustained interest in this technique. Notably, two films use the rare and intricate pinscreen method, which Jean described as “a wonderful instrument.”
The Off-Limits category brings 10 experimental works to the table. Highlights include "Gerhard" by Ulu Braun, a film Jean calls “a gritty work that will spark reactions,” offering an ironic take on artistic creation in the age of AI.
In the politically charged Perspectives section, 17 films explore themes of memory, justice, and power. Noteworthy entries include "Blinded by the Lights" by Ghana’s Francis Y. Brown, which tackles political corruption; Argentina’s "The Mustached Clown Circus," which revisits dictatorship trauma; and Rwanda’s "Ibuka, Justice" by Justice Rutikara, a deeply personal piece on the Rwandan genocide.
The Young Audiences Short Films category includes 10 titles, showcasing a rare pinscreen entry in what Jean described as an “extremely high standard” selection.
In the Graduation Films competition, 45 films from 30 countries have been selected. France leads with six entries, followed by Japan with four and Poland with three. Techniques vary from puppetry and powder animation to drawing on film, signaling a continued diversification in stylistic approaches among young creators.
The TV Films section includes 30 titles, 28 of which are episodic series. Madagascar and Singapore make their first-ever appearances in this category, reflecting the festival’s growing geographic reach.
In the Commissioned Films competition, 35 works from 13 countries are featured. This includes 8 music videos—6 of which are from France—8 educational shorts, and 19 commercials. The lineup includes past Annecy winners such as Balázs Turai ("Cristal for a Short Film," 2022), Suresh Eriyat ("Cristal for a Commissioned Film," 2015), César Cabral ("Contrechamp Award," 2021), and Lola Lefevre ("Graduation Films Jury Distinction," 2022).
With a robust mix of formats, techniques, and voices, the 2025 Annecy Festival reaffirms its central role as a barometer for trends and talent in global animation. For producers, distributors, and buyers alike, it offers a concentrated look at both cutting-edge innovation and commercially viable storytelling from around the world.
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