‘Arco,’ ‘Endless Cookie’ Take Prizes
The 2025 Annecy International Animation Film Festival concluded with a mix of celebration and reflection. “Arco” took home the Cristal for best animated feature, but the mood was somber due to the ongoing conflicts in Gaza, Israel, and Iran. Iranian filmmaker Sepideh Farsi called for significant changes beyond the world of cinema to address the atrocities happening in Gaza. She shared a heartbreaking story of a friend killed in an airstrike and emphasized the need for action to stop the war.
The festival also showcased other outstanding films, such as Ugo Bienveu’s “Arco,” which explores themes of friendship and environmentalism through stunning animation. Yasuhiro Aoki’s “ChaO” won the feature jury award for its unique blend of genres and storytelling. Momoko Seto’s “Dandelion’s Odyssey” received the Paul Grimault Award for its experimental approach.
In the short film category, Pierre-Luc Granjon’s “The Night Boots” won the Cristal and told a captivating story of a boy’s nighttime adventure. Michael Granberry’s “Les Bêtes” received the jury award for its poignant message about the power of animation in dark times.
Special prizes were also awarded to various films, including Lola Lefèvre’s music video for “Ye Kou Si Kuo” and Suresh Eriyat’s “Desi Oon,” an ecological tale. The festival recognized a wide range of talent, from graduation films like Léna Martinez’s “Zootrope” to VR works like Ondřej Moravec and Victoria Lopukhina’s “Fragile Home.”
Overall, the 2025 Annecy International Animation Film Festival was a showcase of creativity, innovation, and powerful storytelling. The award-winning films tackled important themes and showcased the diverse talent in the world of animation. As the festival came to a close, it left a lasting impact on both audiences and participants, highlighting the potential of animation to inspire change and make a difference in the world.
