Annecy Daily: Day 1
Belgian young audience shorts, warming-up and a whole lot of beautiful flowers and people
It's finally happening! After smooth travels, the Animation Belgian has landed in Annecy thanks to efficient trains and my long-time Brompton steed “Starscream” (yes, he has a name as well).
Already yesterday animation students and professionals were roaming the charming streets of the medieval city center. Today, as the sun shines on the Paquier, I can't wait to dive in all the beautiful projects presented this year!
But first, a quick glimpse of Annecy, taken from my morning ride around the lake 📸
Idyllic, isn't it? Welcome to most beautiful film festival there is!
What’s up with the Belgians today?
Right before diving into Michel Gondry’s Masterclass, here’s what Belgians are up to on this first day of the festival.
Dominique Seutin, Anima Festival co-director and programmer, takes part in two Annecy juries this year, selecting the best out of TV & Commissioned Films as well as VR Works. I have already exchanged extensively with Dominique, and it’s always with delight that I meet all Anima team here in Annecy.
If you want to know more about her career, and how Anima has shaped her as much as she has shaped Anima herself, you can discover her interview (in French) on Les Visages de l’animation, the podcast about Belgian animation I recorded for Cinergie last year, with beautiful portraits by Brussels-based Rocio Alvarez!
In Young Audiences section, two Belgian films are making their premiere today, both brought forth by veteran producer-director Arnaud Demuynck. La carpe et l’enfant and Tunnel de la nuit are both wonderful shorts with soft, tender animation and heartwarming stories. I’ve been able to watch both beforehand, and I can already say that Annecy’s audience is in for a treat.
I’ll also reach out to the directors, and to Arnaud —who co-directs La carpe et l’enfant —about his strategy. His vision and his production choices make for an instantly recognizable editorial approach, and I would love to know more about how he has built this distinct identity.
Prepping for MIFA —which opens on Tuesday— are also many studios and production companies hailing from Belgium.
Among them is Synk, founded by Belgian industry veteran Jan Hameeuw. I met Jan last year at Cartoon Business, and although I’m not that well-versed —yet— in the technical aspects of bringing an animated project to the screen, Synk looks like a very promising initiative. I mean, who wouldn’t wish for “an all-in-one solution to manage your pipeline”?
Finally, before wrapping up this first daily —I hope you find them interesting— I want to give a real shout-out to German animator, illustrator and visual artist Raman Djafari.
After creating Anima’s 2025 poster, Raman went on to create the whole identity for Annecy as well! An impressive back-to-back feat, for an artists that is so wonderful, so good and represents so well the energy that fills the animation community.
That’s it for today, time to go to Bonlieu and drink up on Michel Gondry’s impressive career achievements!
Have a great animated Sunday
Kevin