'The Violinist' bags top price at Annecy Animation Film Festival 2026; Full winners list here
Annecy, June 28
The Annecy Animation Film Festival crowned the winners on Saturday with 'The Violinist' directed by Ervin Han and Raul Garc biggest festival prize in animation: Annecy's feature film Cristal, reported Variety.
According to Variety, a tale of two young violinist virtuosos in and after WWII Singapore, 'The Violinist' certainly had its fans at Annecy as it was against the strong contenders 'Iron Boy' or 'Tangles.'
According to Variety, in a third competition prize, 'Decorado,' from Alberto Vasquez, won the Paul Grimault Award for an existential fable on freedom.
A 14-minute high-speed study of someone's life, seen only through pieces of paper, 'Paper Trail' was developed to create the film's unique look and pace by blending 2D computer animation and animated objects.
The prize felt unearned, Hertzfeldt said on stage at Annecy. "I started animating when I was a kid, 30 years ago. It was just fun, it was to make my friends laugh. I've always thought of myself as a director who draws. I had never been to Annecy before. Maybe I can finally call myself an animator."
The Alexeiff-Parker Award went to 'My Bellyaching Skin,' the third part of young Étienne Bonnet's autobiography, described by Annecy artistic director Marcel Jean as one of the funniest voices in French animation.
Elsewhere, in key plaudits, Contrechamp, Annecy major sidebar for edgier or newer talent plays, was won by France's "Blaise," from Dimitri Planchon and Jean-Paul Guige and a "perfect introduction to French absurd humour, questioning the political engagement of youth and the existential crisis of adults," Jean told Variety.
The Jury Award went to Japan's 'A New Dawn,' a co-production between Japan's Asmik Ace and France's Miyu Productions, which made a splash at the Berlin Festival and heralds almost certainly more Japan-France collaborations in the future.
In Annecy's Special Prize category, the Annecy Presents Audience Award, a new prize, went to 'Brave Cat,' the feature film debut of Gabriel Osorio, director of "Bear Story," an Academy Award-winning animated short which marked Chile's first Oscar win.
A list of some of this year's winners can be found below.
Feature FilmCristal for a Feature FilmThe Violinist -- Ervin Han, Raul Garcia
Jury AwardIron Boy -- Louis Clichy
Paul Grimault AwardDecorado -- Alberto Vazquez
Gan Foundation Award for DistributionIron Boy
Audience AwardIron Boy
Contrechamp FeaturesGrand PrixBlaise -- Dimitri Planchon, Jean-Paul Guige
Jury AwardA New Dawn
Short FilmsCristal for a Short FilmPaper Trail -- Don Hertzfeldt
Jury AwardGod Is Shy -- Jocelyn Charles
Alexeieff-Parker AwardMy Bellyaching Skin -- Etienne Bonnet
Off-Limits AwardCore Dump -- Alona Rodeh
Jean-Luc Xiberras Award for a First FilmPlease -- Anna Mantzaris
Audience AwardGod Is Shy -- Jocelyn Charles
TV AwardsCristal for a TV ProductionThe Great Dreamscape -- Remi Durin
Jury Award for a TV SeriesTakopi's Original Sin -- Shinya Iino
Jury Award for a TV SpecialSong of the Storms -- Caroline Attia
Audience Award for a TV ProductionThe Broos -- David Mirailles
Commissioned FilmsCristal for a Commissioned FilmUnloved -- Victor Caire, Lucas Navarro, Theophile Dufresne
Jury Award for a Commissioned FilmEco Beat -- Eva Bienert, Max Mortl
Graduation FilmsJury AwardDying Embers -- Lea Pulini
Lotte Reiniger AwardGently -- Jamaica Kindlova
VR WorksCristal for the Best VR WorkA Long Goodbye -- Kate Voet, Victor Maes
Special Prize WinnersSACEM Award for Best Original Soundtrack (Short Film)God Is Shy -- Jocelyn Charles
SACEM Award for Best Original Soundtrack (Feature Film)The Violinist -- Ervin Han, Raul Garcia
Annecy Presents Audience AwardBrave Cat -- Gabriel Osorio
Canal+ Junior Jury AwardPiccolo Piccolo -- Marta Gennari
Young Audience AwardInto the Forest -- Antonin Niclass
Andre Martin Award for a French Short FilmHold It Together -- Fan Sissoko
ARTE Award, European Short FilmUka-uka -- Henri Veermae
Festivals Connexion Award for an Immersive WorkVoooooo--Peeeeee-- -- Hyeunjoo Woo, Jiyun Park
Vimeo Staff Pick Award for a Short FilmCreation -- Bela Klingl
Warner Bros. Animation Award for a Graduation FilmThe 12 Inch Pianist -- Lucas Ansel
Midnight Shorts AwardEclosion -- Luis Morillo
City of Annecy AwardBecause Today Is Saturday -- Alice Eca Guimarães
Titmouse WTF AwardYou Are Not Part of the Cake -- Ting-Jui Chen
Titmouse WTF Jury DistinctionI Have a -- Rory Waudby-Tolley
At Saturday's prize ceremony, the Festival also confirmed dates of June 13-19 for its 2027 edition, which see it moving back to its traditional mid-month slot, and that Colombia will be the Annecy Animation Festival's 2027 Country of Honour.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Happy to see 'Paper Trail' winning the short film Cristal! Don Hertzfeldt's speech about finally calling himself an animator after 30 years was sweet. 🎬 But I wish Indian animation got more visibility at these festivals - our studios produce amazing work too.
'Iron Boy' seems to have swept the audience awards but couldn't bag the top prize. Interesting how jury and public opinion diverged. Also noticed Japan-France co-production 'A New Dawn' - such cross-cultural projects are the way forward. India should push for more international co-productions in animation.
As someone who studied animation briefly, this list is impressive. The variety - from French absurd humor to Japanese existential themes - shows animation is truly a global art form. 'A Long Goodbye' winning for VR work is particularly exciting given how immersive storytelling is evolving.
Finally a list that doesn't feel like corporate Hollywood awards! So many unique films from different cultures. The 'Brave Cat' winning audience award from the director of 'Bear Story' (Chile's first Oscar) shows how animation can put small countries on the map. India needs to nurture this ecosystem more.
The range of categories here is wonderful - TV productions, commissioned films, VR works. 'The Great Dreamscape' winning TV Cristal sounds intriguing. But I'm a bit skeptical about some jury choices - sometimes festivals prioritize obscure art over genuinely engaging storytelling. Still, congrats to all winners! 🏆
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