Cannes and Annecy Join Forces for New Anime-Focused Animation Showcase at Marché du Film

Cannes and Annecy are coming together to launch a new animation showcase at the Marché du Film during the Cannes Film Festival. The event will highlight animated films and projects from around the world. Annecy, known as a leading animation festival, will bring its programming strength to Cannes for this special four-day showcase. Organizers say the extended format will give buyers and sellers enough time to explore new animation projects in detail.

The showcase will include a wide mix of animated content. This will cover full-length feature films as well as episodic projects. Some titles will be screened directly for buyers, while others will be presented as work-in-progress. This approach allows industry professionals to see both finished and developing animation projects. The programming for the showcase is being handled by the Annecy team, who are selecting projects that best fit the event.

A major focus of the showcase will be anime. Anime has become increasingly popular across global audiences in recent years. Because of this growing demand, a dedicated section for Japanese animation will be included in the program. This section is being led by Sofia Carrillo, who runs the Tokyo-based agency Plus91. Carrillo has experience working with Studio Ghibli projects and currently consults for the Annecy Festival. Her role is to curate anime titles for this new showcase.

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Carrillo shared that anime is a strong fit for the event because of its wide appeal. She explained that Japanese animation connects with viewers of all ages through strong storytelling and distinctive visuals. According to her, buyers are drawn to anime because it performs well in different markets. She is selecting projects that combine traditional anime styles with new creative ideas. These projects will include work from both established studios and emerging creators.

This collaboration benefits both festivals. Cannes brings a large international film market, while Annecy contributes deep expertise in animation. Together, they create a space where animation projects can gain more visibility and attract potential buyers. The timing of the showcase also works well, as it comes ahead of Annecy’s main festival in June.

Sofia Carrillo’s involvement is a key part of the project. She previously scouted animation talent in Tokyo for Annecy, helping identify new creators in the anime space. Her current selections aim to showcase the diversity of modern anime, ranging from emotional stories and action-driven titles to more experimental works.

Overall, the new showcase is designed to open more opportunities for creators and buyers. It gives anime and animation projects a stronger global platform during one of the biggest film markets in the world.

A closer look at the titles:

Hidari

Director: Masashi Kawamura | Language: English

Synopsis: Betrayed during the reconstruction of Edo Castle, legendary craftsman Jingoro Hidari loses his father figure, fiancée, and his right arm. Filled with grief, he creates mechanical prosthetics and sets out on a path of vengeance and justice with his loyal companion, the “Sleeping Cat.”

Genre: Action | Artistic technique: Stop motion animation

Bataille

Director: Vergine Keaton | Language: French

Synopsis: Set during a battle near a small Italian Renaissance town, the story follows a conflict where military tactics fall apart and two forces clash: the desire to win and the desire to live. The film explores group dynamics, power, and submission while focusing on personal human stories within a larger conflict.

Genre: Drama | Artistic technique: 2D animation

Les chiens ne font pas des chats

Director: Alain Gagnol | Language: French

Synopsis: After losing their parents, Jules and Lola’s life changes when their grandmother Jeanne arrives with a mission to find a missing teenager. As they join her journey, they discover a hidden family legacy and learn that cats and dogs can actually speak, opening a world of imagination, humor, and emotion.

Genre: Drama | Artistic technique: 2D animation with 3D elements

Wasted Chef

Director: Takayuki Hirao | Language: Japanese

Synopsis: A young chef searching for a lost flavor arrives in a ruined city where taste has disappeared. He is saved by a girl named Kasumi, and his cooking begins to awaken forgotten memories. As a dark force threatens to erase all desire, his journey becomes a fight to save both worlds.

Genre: Drama | Artistic technique: 2D/3D animation

Insectario

Director: Sofía Carrillo | Language: Spanish

Synopsis: In a world where insects have gone extinct, Lexi preserves insect specimens for her uncle, an entomologist. After accidentally bringing a rare moth back to life, she hides it and discovers unexpected consequences, leading her into a strange and emotional experience.

Genre: Drama | Comedy; Artistic technique