Nine additional features selected to screen in the Contrechamp program at upcoming festival, running both online and onsite from June 14-19.
Organizers of the 2021 Annecy International Animation Film Festival have announced their slate of feature films selected to screen in and out of official competition. Being presented as a hybrid event – both live and online – this year’s festival, running June 14-19, will celebrate its 60th anniversary, bringing together a packed program of meetings, screenings, presentations, and business development opportunities.
"Annecy is the first-ever movie festival fully dedicated to animation and it has become the major event of this sector, worldwide,” notes artistic director Marcel Jean. “We will continue to claim this special place in History as ours. Our aim is to always stay the foremost meeting place for our entire community and industry. Over the course of the years, this event has grown impressively, becoming more and more inclusive. Today we are proud to have remained relevant throughout our numerous transformations, without ever neglecting this priceless legacy handed down by the pioneers who were there at its genesis."
The complete list of features in the Official competition is as follows, including notes from Jean – you can find additional information on the films here:
My Sunny Maad by Michaela PAVLÁTOVÁ – France, Czech Republic
"My Sunny Maad is the first feature film by a female director awarded the Cristal for a Short Film in 2012. It is a touching story full of nuances and subtlety about a Western woman’s experience of living in Afghanistan. Without doubt one of the most eagerly awaited films of the year!"
The Ape Star by Linda HAMBÄCK – Denmark, Norway, Sweden
"A film that follows the grand tradition of cinema for young audiences, from the north of Europe"
Snotty Boy by Marcus ROSENMÜLLER, Santiago LOPEZ JOVER – Germany, Austria
"A pleasant surprise for this first animation feature produced in the Austrian vernacular; a funny movie that takes a biting look at reality."
You Animal! The Nimfa Dimaano Story by Avid LIONGOREN – Philippines
"One of the selection’s special surprises. A fun and funny film tackling adult topics, with complex characters and a scathing depiction of social differences."
Poupelle of Chimney Town by HIROTA Yusuke – Japan
"An absolutely astonishing, profoundly original futuristic work coming to us from Studio 4°C."
Jiang Ziya: The Legend of Deification by LI Wei, CHENG Teng – China
"UA spectacular action and adventure work, another lush example of the artistic ambitions and high technical feats of Chinese animation."
The Deer King by ANDO Masashi, MIYAJI Masayuki – Japan
"Production IG studio’s most recent production, a film impatiently awaited by animation fans. This is a complex, expansive and ambitious work. Among others, Masachi Ando is known for having worked alongside Hayao Miyazaki and Satoshi Kon."
Flee by Jonas POHER RASMUSSEN – Denmark, France, Norway, Sweden
"A highly-anticipated feature film coming to us after its incredible success early this year at Sundance."
Lamya’s Poem by Alex KRONEMER – Canada, USA
"A movie which belongs to the introductory geopolitical sphere, quite present in animation cinema the recent years with such films as The Breadwinner. Lamya’s Poem is the first animation feature directed by Alex Kronemer, already the scriptwriter of Bilal: A New Breed of Heroes, selected out of competition at Annecy 2015"
Josee, The Tiger and the Fish by TAMURA Kotaro – Japan
"A juicy rom-com produced by Bones that holds pride of place at the Festival’s opening session."
The complete list of features in the Contrechamp competition is as follows, including notes from Jean – you can find additional information on the films here:
Mount Fuji Seen from a Moving Train by Pierre HÉBERT – Canada
"A living legend in film-stock engraving and animated explorations combining documentary and multi-disciplinary experimentations, Pierre Hébert has gifted us today with a major work inspired by pioneer Robert Breer."
Archipelago by Félix DUFOUR-LAPERRIÈRE – Canada
"This film signals the return of a filmmaker with a strong artistic touch, just two years after treating us to Ville Neuve, also competing in the Contrechamp section. What we have here is a visually sumptuous essay, reminiscent of the spirit of Chris Marker."
Cryptozoo by Dash SHAW – USA
"Cryptozoo comes to us following rave reviews at Berlin and Sundance. This feature film spins its magic between poetry, science-fiction and political philosophy. With it, Dash Shaw has shown himself to be a rightful heir to René Laloux."
Chicken of the Mound by CHEN Xi – Germany, China
"This movie will astound many! The director entices us into a world thronging with robots, a mix between David O’Reilly and Matrix."
Climbing by KIM Hye-mi – South Korea
"Climbing follows a female character obsessed with mountain climbing and performance, forced to face her own personal demons. Here is a film that flickers between intrigue, mystery and nightmare."
Absolute Denial by Ryan BRAUND – United Kingdom
"A one-man work that once again describes how an artificial intelligence can overtake its creator."
Bob Spit – We Do Not Like People by Cesar CABRAL – Brazil
"This film was to have been part of the Annecy 2020 selection. Unfortunately, this stop-motion documentary dedicated to the famous artist Angeli could not be completed on time due to the pandemic. We are so very happy to be able to present it to you this year."
My Uncle José by Ducca RIOS – Brazil
"A political and historical work made for young viewers. A beautiful example of the creativity that has courageously survived in Brazilian animation through these very tough times."
City of Lost Thing by YEE Chih-Yen – Taïwan
"This work entices us into a city awash with plastic bags and other discarded items. What we have here is an original piece, with a strong musical underpinning."
Source: Annecy 2021
