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The French animated feature Arco, produced by Natalie Portman and directed by acclaimed illustrator Ugo Bienvenu, has taken home the Cristal for Best Feature Film at this year’s Annecy International Animation Film Festival.
The film, which had its premiere at Cannes, marks Bienvenu’s debut as a feature director. Set in the year 2932, ‘Arco’ tells the story of a 10-year-old boy who is accidentally transported back in time to 2075 through a rainbow. There, he meets Iris, a young girl enduring the consequences of environmental collapse. Their connection — built on innocence, curiosity, and mutual loss — blossoms into a poignant friendship across time. Reviewer Lovia Gyarkye described the film in The Hollywood Reporter as a thoughtful reflection on climate catastrophe, nestled within a touching narrative about adolescent bonds.
The top prize in the Contrechamp sidebar section went to ‘Endless Cookie’, a Canadian animated documentary by Seth and Pete Scriver. Premiering at Sundance, the film weaves Pete Scriver’s personal memories as a First Nations individual from Shamattawa, Manitoba. It addresses serious themes such as the legacy of residential schools, corporate exploitation of land, and systemic incarceration — all interspersed with surreal and humorous sequences.
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The audience award at Annecy went to ‘Little Amélie or the Character of Rain’, directed by Maïlys Vallade and Liane-Cho Han. The film is an adaptation of Amélie Nothomb’s novel.
The competition jury prize was awarded to ‘ChaO’ by Japanese filmmaker Yasuhiro Aoki. The film presents a futuristic, chaotic Shanghai where hybrid beings and unstable power structures drive the story. The Paul Grimault Award was given to ‘Dandelion’s Odyssey’ by Momoko Seto, which debuted during Cannes Critics’ Week. This film follows a group of seeds as they navigate diverse ecosystems, offering a meditation on the fragility and endurance of life.
‘The Square’ Wins Jury Prize as Annecy Cements Its Oscar Influence
In the Contrechamp section, the jury prize was awarded to ‘The Square’ by South Korean director Bo-Sol Kim. The film combines experimental animation with political themes, focusing on a Swedish diplomat in Pyongyang who begins a secret affair with a local traffic officer.
Held annually in France, the Annecy Festival is considered one of the most prestigious events in the animation industry and a key launchpad for awards-season contenders. Last year’s big winners, ‘Memoir of a Snail’ and ‘Flow’, both earned Oscar nominations — with ‘Flow’ ultimately taking home the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
