Annecy MIFA 2025 closed with record attendance and bold industry moves

The Annecy International Animation Film Festival wrapped its 2025 edition with record-breaking numbers and a reinforced commitment to industry inclusivity and innovation. With 18,200 badgeholders from 118 countries — including new entrants Afghanistan, Guatemala, Montenegro, and Rwanda — the event further solidified its reputation as the global capital of animated cinema.

This year’s edition was defined by both its artistic depth and industry impact. Held in a sweltering but festive atmosphere, the Festival featured world premieres, high-profile guests, and a packed slate of screenings and panels. Major industry figures in attendance included Pete Docter, Matt Groening, Andy Serkis, Genndy Tartakovsky, Julie Gayet, and David Silverman, creating one of the most star-studded years to date.

Awards capped off a high-energy week, with the Cristal for a Feature Film awarded to “Arco” by Ugo Bienvenu. “Dandelion's Odyssey” by Momoko Seto received the Paul Grimault Award, while “ChaO” by Yasuhiro Aoki earned the Jury Award. Audience favorite “Little Amélie or the Character of Rain,” directed by Maïlys Vallade and Liane-Cho Han, took home the Audience Award. In the short film category, Pierre-Luc Granjon’s “The Night Boots” swept honors, earning the Cristal, Audience Award, and André Martin Award.

The parallel market Mifa celebrated its 40th anniversary with 6,550 accredited professionals, 196 stands, and 400 journalists on site. As Mickaël Marin, CEO of CITIA, noted during the closing ceremony, “This year was not just a celebration of numbers. It was about the people, the silences in theatres, and the passionate conversations that define Annecy. We also marked the 10th anniversary of our 2015 edition focused on women in animation — a moment that must serve as a foundation for deeper structural change.”

Among the most forward-looking announcements was the creation of a residency program exclusively for female feature film directors, reinforcing Annecy’s ongoing commitment to gender equity in an industry still marked by underrepresentation. This initiative was further supported by the conference “Women in the Animation Industry: A Decade of Change, A Future to Shape” and a dedicated workshop co-organized with Lab Femmes de Cinéma and Mifa’s Campus.

The Festival also proved to be a magnet for the public, with 2,000 schoolchildren and thousands of nightly spectators attending events at Le Pâquier. An additional 23,500 visitors explored the "Arcane" exhibition, underscoring the broad appeal of animated content across age groups and demographics.

As global streaming demand fuels appetite for animated IP, Annecy 2025 has once again positioned itself not only as a launchpad for creative talent but also as a strategic hub for the business of animation. With the Mifa continuing to foster international co-productions and technological innovation, the Festival remains essential to shaping the future of the industry — one increasingly global, diverse, and interconnected.