Luxembourg in Annecy: an animated success on the international stage

Cinema, City Film Festival in Luxembourg

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From 9 to 15 June 2025, France will host the Annecy International Animated Film Festival, the world's premier animation forum. This year, the spotlight is on Luxembourg, which presented a record number of entries in both the competition and special programmes. This is recognition of an industry that has become not only high-tech but also creatively ambitious in recent years.

At the centre of the competition: stories in which Luxembourg has left its mark

Marcel et Monseur Pagnol, directed by Sylvain Chomet.

Co-produced by France, Belgium and Luxembourg (Bidibul Productions) is a biographical film about the great French writer and director Marcel Pagnol. From his childhood in Provence to his film studios to his involvement in World War II, the film is created using 2D animation by Luxembourg-based Doghouse Studio. Sound is by Philophon. The world premiere will take place as part of the special screenings of Cannes 2025.

Allah n'est pas obligé - dir. Zaven Najjar

Screen adaptation of Ahmadou Kourouma's novel about the fate of a boy soldier in Africa. Co-production with Luxembourg (Paul Thiltges Distributions), France, Belgium and Canada. Animation, compositing and visual effects are by La Fabrique d'Images (Differdange), while sound post-production is again by Philophon.

A Walk into the Afterlife - dir. Jiyun Jeong

The highlight of the "For Young Audiences" section is a poetic short film by a graduate of the University of Luxembourg. Produced as part of the Carte Blanche programme and supported by Film Fund Luxembourg, this project is the international debut of a young Korean-New Zealand filmmaker now working in the Luxembourg industry as a 3D animator.

Annecy Présente extra-competitive programme: Luxembourg's footprint is growing

This newly launched section showcases the world's best work outside the competition. It presents three projects with Luxembourgian participation:

Spiked - directed by Caroline Origer. Co-production with Belgium, France, Luxembourg (Fabrique d'Images) and the UK.
Stitch Head - directed by Steve Hudson. A co-production of Germany and Luxembourg (Fabrique d'Images) - a likely hit at the family box office.
Thelma's Perfect Birthday - directed by Reinis Kalnaellis. A Latvian-Luxembourg project from Paul Thiltges Distributions - a story aimed at young children.

Luxembourg's participation in such a large-scale format confirms not only the growth of production facilities (studios, post-production, sound), but also the ability to creatively co-create with the world's leading industries. Importantly, most of the projects on the list are the result of years of institutional support through Film Fund Luxembourg and the growth of animation education in the country.

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