Annecy Animation Film Festival Expands with New Cultural Hub

The Annecy Animation Film Festival is set to enhance its global standing with the opening of the Cité Internationale du Cinema d’Animation on June 19, 2026. This new institute aims to extend the festival's influence beyond its annual event, reinforcing Annecy's reputation as the world's leading animation platform. The Cité will feature a variety of facilities, including a vast screening room, an artists’ residency, and spaces for training and cultural activities, all housed within a historic 19th-century landmark.

Variety Magazine

The opening will coincide with two significant exhibitions. One will showcase Laika, the studio known for acclaimed films such as “Coraline” and “The Boxtrolls,” where CEO Travis Knight will present early footage from the anticipated animated film “Wildwood.” The second exhibition, titled “Ankama: From Sketch to Epic — 25 Years of Creation,” will explore the creative journey of Ankama, known for its “Krosmoz” universe, through animation, video games, and publishing. This immersive showcase will run until January 2027.

Variety Magazine

Mickaël Marin, director of the Annecy festival and its industry market MIFA, emphasized the goal of the Cité to serve as a cultural hub akin to the French Cinematheque in Paris. Gaëtan Bruel, president of the National Film Board, highlighted the festival's significance, noting that it is not only the leading animation event but also the third-largest event across all film genres. Bruel stated, “Together with the Cité internationale du cinéma d’animation, our goal is to build on these achievements and take things even further by making Annecy and its region the year-round global capital of animation.”

Variety Magazine

Education will be a cornerstone of the Cité, with initiatives designed to engage younger audiences. The “Grenier à images” will offer workshops and programs aimed at helping youth understand the art of animation and its cultural significance. Dominique Puthod, president of CITIA, remarked on the importance of the Cité as a space for future generations, asserting that “Animation is not a minor form of cinema, but an art in its own right — a universal language that connects generations.”

Variety Magazine

The establishment of the Cité Internationale du Cinema d’Animation marks a significant milestone for the Annecy Animation Film Festival, enhancing its role as a global leader in the animation industry. Antoine Armand described the project as a major advancement that strengthens a unique ecosystem and boosts the city’s international reach, asserting that with the opening of the Cité, Annecy fully asserts its status as the world capital of animation.

Variety Magazine