Annecy International Animation Film Festival

Overview

The Annecy International Animation Film Festival is the oldest and largest animation festival in the world. Founded in 1960, it is held annually in June in Annecy, France, a town in the French Alps on the shores of Lake Annecy. The 2026 edition runs June 21 to 27, with the MIFA (Marche International du Film d'Animation) market running June 23 to 26. The dates were moved from their original early June slot because the French government announced the 2026 G7 Summit would take place in the Haute-Savoie region on those same dates, creating unavoidable conflicts with transport, accommodation, and security.

The 2025 edition drew 18,200 badgeholders from 118 countries, including 6,550 MIFA market badgeholders, 4,500 students, and 354 buyers. The MIFA exhibition area covered 7,000 square meters with 975 exhibiting companies across 196 booths. The festival and market hosted 200 events, including 150 industry events and 50 talent events. Over 4,000 films were submitted for the 2026 edition.

Annecy operates alongside MIFA, the world's largest animation market. Studios, distributors, broadcasters, and co-producers from across the global animation industry attend MIFA for deal-making, pitching, and recruitment. The combination of festival and market makes Annecy the single most important event on the animation industry calendar. Pixar, Disney, DreamWorks, Illumination, Studio Ghibli, and other major studios regularly premiere or showcase work at Annecy.

For animation filmmakers: Annecy is the global platform for animated film. Winning the Cristal for Best Short Film can launch a career. MIFA is where co-production deals, distribution agreements, and hiring happen. The trade-off is high accreditation costs, expensive accommodation in a small Alpine town, and competition against the best animation in the world.

Submission Details

Annecy accepts open submissions for all competitive categories through the festival website. As of the 2026 edition, there is a flat submission fee per category, regardless of when you submit.

Film submission fees and deadlines for 2026:

• Short Films: EUR 30, deadline February 15, 2026
• Graduation Films: Free (EUR 0), deadline February 15, 2026
• TV and Commissioned Films: EUR 30, deadline February 15, 2026
• Feature Films: EUR 100, deadline March 15, 2026
• Immersive Works: EUR 30, deadline March 15, 2026

All fees exclude VAT (20%). Fees are non-refundable. No refunds are given for incorrect registration, duplicate submission, submission in the incorrect category, or retraction of the work.

Selection announcement dates:

• Graduation Films: March 18, 2026
• TV Films and Commissioned Films: March 23, 2026
• Short Films: March 25, 2026
• Feature Films: end of April 2026
• Immersive Works: beginning of May 2026
• Awards ceremony: June 27, 2026

MIFA Pitches submission fees (for projects in development):

• Short Films: EUR 20 (VAT not incl.)
• Feature Films: EUR 40 (VAT not incl.)
• TV Series and Specials: EUR 30 (VAT not incl.)
• Immersive Experiences: EUR 20 (VAT not incl.)
• Animation du Monde reduced rates available for projects from emerging animation territories
• MIFA Pitches deadline: January 22, 2026

The same author or producer cannot submit more than 2 projects in the same MIFA Pitches category. Projects made on a training course are excluded. Selected projects receive MIFA accreditation (up to 2 authors or 1 author and 1 producer per project).

MIFA Accreditation Costs

On-site MIFA accreditation:

• Early Bird (February 9 to 26, 2026): EUR 420 + EUR 2.50 environmental contribution (VAT not incl.)
• Standard (February 27 to April 28, 2026): EUR 509 + EUR 2.50
• Late (from April 29, 2026): EUR 600 + EUR 2.50

MIFA Online accreditation:

• Early Bird: EUR 150 (VAT not incl.)
• Standard: EUR 170 (VAT not incl.)
• Access to services available until December 31, 2026
• Cannot be combined with an on-site accreditation
• For professionals only

MIFA accreditation gives access to all festival and MIFA screenings and events, plus online tools including a directory of over 18,000 participants, over 3,900 listed companies, online messaging, and a video library. The ticketing service allows 3 reservations per day.

Key Sections

• Official Feature Films Competition - animated features competing for the Cristal Award
• Official Short Films Competition - animated shorts competing for the Cristal
• TV and Commissioned Films - animated series, specials, and commercial work
• Graduation Films - student animated films from film schools worldwide (free to submit)
• Immersive Works - VR and immersive animated experiences
• Work in Progress - previews of animated features in production
• MIFA - the international animation market (pitches, screenings, recruitment, exhibition)
• MIFA Pitches - competitive pitching for projects in development across 4 categories
• Annecy Presents - special screenings and studio showcases

What Filmmakers Should Know

For Short Film Filmmakers

Annecy is the single most important platform for animated short films in the world. The Official Short Films Competition is the category that can launch a career. Winning the Cristal for Best Short Film carries exceptional weight in the animation industry. The submission fee of EUR 30 is modest compared to the exposure a selection provides.

For Student Filmmakers

The Graduation Films competition is free to submit, making it the most accessible entry point for emerging animators. Film schools submit their strongest work, and winning at Annecy carries exceptional weight. Many Annecy graduation film winners have gone on to direct features for major studios. With 4,500 students attending the festival, the networking opportunities for emerging talent are unmatched.

For Industry Professionals

MIFA is essential for anyone working in the animation industry. The market includes structured pitching sessions through MIFA Pitches, recruitment events, and exhibition spaces where studios and distributors present their slates. Animation professionals seeking employment, co-production partners, or distribution should attend MIFA. The 2025 edition hosted 6,550 MIFA badgeholders, 354 buyers, and 975 exhibiting companies.

For Projects in Development

MIFA Pitches is the primary route for projects seeking production partners. The four categories (Short Films, Feature Films, TV Series and Specials, Immersive Experiences) cover the main animation formats. Selected projects present to a jury of CITIA members and industry professionals, with results announced before the end of April. The Animation du Monde program offers reduced submission rates for projects from emerging animation territories.

Awards

• Cristal for Best Feature Film - the top prize for animated features
• Cristal for Best Short Film - the most recognized short animation award in the world
• Jury Award - features and shorts
• Jury Distinction - features and shorts
• Audience Award
• Best TV Production
• Best Graduation Film
• Best VR/Immersive Work

The awards ceremony takes place on June 27, 2026, the final day of the festival.

Festival History

Annecy was founded in 1960, making it the oldest animation festival in the world. The festival began as a biennial event and switched to annual editions in 1998. The Artistic Director is Marcel Jean, who makes all final selection decisions after consultation with the selection committees. The Programme Planning Manager is Maud Ahmadnia.

The 2026 edition required a date change from its originally scheduled early June dates because the French government announced the G7 Summit would take place in the Haute-Savoie region on those same dates. The festival moved to June 21 to 27 to avoid infrastructure conflicts.

Annecy has documented the entire history of animation as an art form, from the hand-drawn traditions of Disney and the Zagreb School to the CGI revolution and the current independent and auteur animation renaissance.

Past Winners (Cristal for Best Feature Film)

Recent Cristal winners and where the films landed after Annecy:

• 2025: *Arco*, dir. Ugo Bienvenu. NEON acquired North American rights. A French animated feature about a boy who receives a time-traveling package.

• 2024: *Memoir of a Snail*, dir. Adam Elliot. Madman Films released in Australia and IFC Films in the US. Won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature at the 2025 Academy Awards, the first indie film to win in this category.

• 2023: Linda veut du poulet! (Chicken for Linda!), dirs. Chiara Malta and Sebastien Laudenbach. Gebeka Films distributed in France. Won the Cristal and the Cesar for Best Animated Feature.

Notable Alumni Films and Where They Ended Up

Annecy has launched many of the most significant animated films of the past decade. Selected premieres and their distribution outcomes:

• Flow (2024) - Screened in Official Competition after its Cannes Un Certain Regard world premiere. Sideshow and Janus Films released in North America. Charades handled worldwide sales to 30-plus territories. Won 4 awards at Annecy including the Jury Award and Audience Award. Won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature 2025, the first indie film to win in this category. Latvia's Oscar submission.
• I Lost My Body (2019) - Screened at Annecy 2019 after its Cannes Critics' Week premiere. Netflix acquired worldwide rights via Charades. Won the Cristal for Best Feature and the Audience Award at Annecy. Won the Grand Prix at Cannes Critics' Week, the first animated film to win since 1962. Oscar-nominated for Best Animated Feature.
• Robot Dreams (2023) - Screened in Contrechamp competition after Cannes Special Screenings. Neon acquired North America. Elle Driver handled worldwide sales to 20-plus territories. Won Contrechamp Best Film at Annecy. Won the Goya and the European Film Award for Best Animated Feature. Oscar-nominated for Best Animated Feature.
• The Breadwinner (2017) - Screened at Annecy 2018. GKIDS released in the US. Won the Jury Prize and Audience Award at Annecy. Oscar-nominated for Best Animated Feature. Won the Annie Award for Best Independent Animated Feature.
• Funan (2018) - World premiere at Annecy 2018. Bac Films distributed in France and GKIDS in the US. Won the Cristal for Best Feature at Annecy. Won the Grand Prize at Animation Is Film Festival.
• Away (2019) - Screened in Contrechamp at Annecy 2019. Charades handled worldwide sales. Won the Contrechamp Prize for Best Feature. Played at 85-plus festivals. Director Gints Zilbalodis' feature debut at age 24, before his later Oscar win with Flow.

Submission Tips Specific to Annecy

1. Animation-only with technique diversity. Annecy exclusively programs frame-by-frame created animated works using any technique (2D, 3D, stop-motion, pinscreen, hybrid). The festival celebrates technique diversity. Innovative or unconventional techniques are valued.
2. Feature versus short versus TV programming. Features (roughly 40 selected annually across Official Competition, Contrechamp, Midnight Specials, and Annecy Presents) must be 60-plus minutes. Shorts are a highly competitive gateway category with strong emphasis on artistic creativity and technique diversity. TV and commissioned films have a separate category. Graduation films have a dedicated category. Immersive works have a category for VR and immersive experiences.
3. Premiere status requirements. Features must be unseen in France until the end of the festival. The only exception is Cannes (Official Selection, Directors' Fortnight, Critics' Week, ACID), but rights holders must postpone any Cannes re-runs until after Annecy concludes. Shorts, TV, and commissioned films do not require exclusive screening rights. First-time submission to Annecy is required for all categories.
4. Mifa market integration. Annecy combines the festival with Mifa (Marche International du Film d'Animation), a major animation market for co-production, financing, and distribution. Projects can be submitted to Mifa Pitches separately to connect with potential partners. Mifa focuses on cross-IP opportunities bridging production, video games, and publishing.
5. Programming philosophy. Annecy does not force world premieres or create competition between festivals. Artistic director Marcel Jean states the festival does not want to force producers and sales agents to choose between festivals. The goal is to bring the best of animation together in one place. Selection committees prioritize diversity in cultural, geographical, and artistic backgrounds.

Industry Reputation Notes

• World's premier animation festival and market. Annecy is widely regarded as the world's top animation festival and market. Established in 1960, it is the oldest, biggest, and most-attended animation festival globally. In 2026, it received FIAPF Class A designation, making it the first and only Class A festival dedicated exclusively to animation. Attendance reached 18,300-plus accredited delegates from 118 countries in 2026.
• Best for animation sales, co-production, and recruitment. Annecy draws more American studio presence than Cannes, with Disney and Pixar, Warner Bros., Universal, Paramount, and Netflix actively presenting work and recruiting talent. Mifa is described as indispensable for studios seeking international co-productions and market presence. Major sales agents and distributors actively seek films here.
• Comparison to Ottawa and Zagreb. Annecy, Ottawa (OIAF, est. 1976), and Zagreb (Animafest, est. 1972) are considered the Big Three animation festivals. Annecy is the big brother: richer, more successful, and more commercially oriented. Ottawa and Zagreb are more filmmaker-focused with strong artistic programming but smaller market components. Annecy's unique advantage is its integration of festival and market (Mifa) under one organization (CITIA).
• Open to public alongside industry. Unlike Cannes (industry-only access), Annecy is open to the general public, with cinema admissions exceeding 115,000. This creates a unique atmosphere where artistic films receive broad audience visibility alongside industry networking. The festival puts animation artists on a pedestal while welcoming audiences of all kinds.

See Also

Use the Festival ROI Calculator to compare submission and accreditation costs against potential returns. Use the Festival Acceptance Estimator to gauge your odds before submitting. For understanding the animation industry, see Animation Industry Overview. To explore frame rate decisions for animation, use the Frame Rate Calculator.