Festival-goers enjoy an open-air screening on Annecy’s lakeside lawn, Le Pâquier, during a past edition. The Annecy International Animation Film Festival returns to its idyllic alpine setting from June 8–14, 2025, bringing together the world’s animation community for a week of movie magic. Now in its 49th edition, Annecy has earned its reputation as “the world’s leading animation film festival,” a global meeting place where thousands gather in a warm, friendly atmosphere to celebrate the art of animation. From industry veterans and rising creators to students and fans, everyone converges on this charming lakeside town to share their passion for animated cinema.

A World Capital of Animation History

Founded in 1960, the Annecy Festival has grown alongside the animation medium itself. It started as a modest gathering (originally held alongside Cannes before finding a permanent home in Annecy) and has since evolved into the world’s largest animation festival, with record-breaking attendance in recent years. The 2024 edition saw over 17,000 accredited attendees from 103 countries – a testament to Annecy’s international draw. Over the decades, legendary animators and studios have debuted works here, and many Oscar-winning animated shorts and features first earned acclaim on Annecy’s screens. Festival-goers can catch world premieres, retrospectives, and the crème de la crème of animated shorts and features competing for the prestigious Cristal Awards. Notably, open-air night screenings on Le Pâquier have become an Annecy tradition – thousands of locals and visitors spread out on the grass under the stars to watch classics and new releases projected on a giant screen by the lake. It’s a uniquely enchanting experience that gives the festival a casual, communal charm.

What’s New for 2025

Each year Annecy shines a spotlight on a country or theme in animation, and 2025’s guest of honor is Hungary. Festival programs will pay tribute to Hungary’s rich animation heritage – from iconic 1970s feature films by Marcell Jankovics to recent award-winning shorts – giving attendees a deep dive into Hungarian animated art. Another special focus for 2025 is the creative realm of animated music videos, highlighting how auteur animators bring music to life visually. Additionally, this year marks the 40th anniversary of the Mifa (Marché international du film d’animation), Annecy’s influential industry market, which will be celebrated with retrospectives and events. Attendees can expect an “immersive dive into the boundless creativity” of these spotlight topics. Beyond the theme programs, Annecy 2025 promises the usual jam-packed schedule of screenings, panels, and exhibitions. The official selection – dozens of shorts and features from around the globe – will showcase emerging trends and talents in animation. In fact, with over 2,000 films submitted each year and only the best making the cut, the festival guarantees top-notch viewing. Keep an eye out for big-name studios previewing upcoming animated blockbusters, as well as student films and indie projects that could become the next big thing.

Why Attend Annecy?

For animation enthusiasts, Annecy is nirvana. You’ll watch cutting-edge films before anyone else, often with the filmmakers themselves introducing the screenings and sharing behind-the-scenes stories. You can attend masterclasses and workshops with legendary directors, animators, and sound designers – learning trade secrets or even trying your hand at animation techniques. The festival’s casual setting encourages mingling: it’s not unusual to bump into a famous director in the queue or chat with international students over coffee. The atmosphere is famously warm and inclusive, making it easy for newcomers and fans to feel at home. Annecy’s influence on careers is real too – many young creators have been “discovered” here. But even if you’re not in the industry, the sheer joy of being surrounded by imaginative art and people who love it is invigorating. From laugh-out-loud cartoon comedies to profound arthouse animation, the range of content ensures there’s something to delight everyone.

Notable Past Moments: In recent years, Annecy has hosted premiere sneak peeks of major films (for example, Pixar and DreamWorks have unveiled work-in-progress scenes on the Annecy stage) and celebrated historic milestones like Mickey Mouse’s 90th birthday with special screenings. The 2024 festival set records for participation, with 17,400 people attending and 6,500 industry professionals striking deals at Mifa – underscoring Annecy’s role as the heartbeat of the animation business. This legacy of success bodes well for an exciting 2025 edition.

Experiencing Annecy: Travel Tips and Local Highlights

Attending Annecy is the perfect blend of cultural immersion and vacation relaxation. Location: Annecy lies in the Haute-Savoie region of France, nestled by a turquoise alpine lake and ringed by mountains. The scenery is postcard-perfect – you’ll want to carve out time for strolls along the Lac d’Annecy and through the storybook-like Old Town (with its canals and pastel-colored buildings giving it the nickname “Venice of the Alps”). Festival venues are spread around town (paths along the lake connect many sites), so you’ll get to explore as you move between screenings.

Travel: The nearest big airport is Geneva, Switzerland, only ~45 minutes away by shuttle bus (plenty of attendees fly into Geneva). Lyon’s airport is another option ~1.5 hours away. From Paris, high-speed TGV trains reach Annecy in about 4 hours. Once in town, walking and cycling are the best ways to get around – Annecy is compact, and festivalgoers often prefer walking by the lake rather than using limited taxis. Accommodation: Book early – with thousands pouring in, hotels and rentals fill up fast. Many visitors reserve rooms months in advance. If lodging in Annecy is scarce or pricey, consider staying in surrounding towns (like Talloires or Sévrier along the lake) and commuting by bus or bike. Some budget-conscious attendees even stay in Geneva or Chambéry and take a train in each day, though that’s over an hour’s ride.

Tickets & Accreditation: The festival offers various passes. If you’re an industry professional, student, or hardcore fan, an accreditation pass is worthwhile – it grants access to all official screenings, panels, and the Mifa market (depending on pass type). Accreditation can be purchased on the official Annecy website (usually available in early spring), with categories ranging from general public to professionals. Prices are kept reasonable for students, and there’s even a local resident pass option for Annecians. For casual visitors, individual screening tickets are sold on a limited basis in June (after pass holders book their slots), but note that popular premieres can book up fast. The good news: free outdoor screenings every evening mean you can enjoy festival films without any ticket – just show up at Le Pâquier lawn with a blanket!

Local Food & Fun: When not in a darkened theater, take advantage of Annecy’s charms. The town is famous for its Savoyard cuisine – treat yourself to a dinner of fondue or raclette (melted cheese delights) in the Old Town’s cozy restaurants, or grab a crêpe or artisanal ice cream while wandering the canal-side streets. The Annecy Lake is ideal for a midday break: you can rent a paddleboat, go for a swim in designated areas (yes, June weather is warm enough!), or simply enjoy a picnic with mountain views. If you have an extra day, consider a short hike to viewpoints like Mont Veyrier or a bus trip to Chamonix to see Mont Blanc. And don’t forget to check out any special festival-related exhibitions around town – local galleries and the Castle Museum often host animation art displays during festival week.

Annecy’s unique blend of world-class cultural programming and laid-back lakeside vibe makes this event truly special. Whether you’re an animation professional looking to network or a traveler seeking an inspiring experience, Annecy 2025 promises a week to remember. As the tourist office proudly proclaims, “Annecy has been the world capital of animated film since 1960,” and during the festival, that spirit fills every corner of the town. Bring your curiosity (and perhaps a sketchbook for when creativity strikes), and get ready to be swept up in the movie magic by the lake!