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The Annecy Animation Festival has announced its 2026 event schedule, coinciding with the opening of the new International Cinema Animation Institute, a significant expansion of the renowned global festival. The program includes a special screening from Laika studio, producer of films such as The Boxtrolls and Coraline, as well as an exhibition dedicated to Ankama studio, known for the Krosmoz series.
Opening of the New Institute and Strengthening Annecy's Status
The new institute, named Cité Internationale du Cinema d’Animation, will commence activities on June 19 with an inaugural exhibition titled Ankama: From Sketch to Epic – 25 Years of Creation, showcasing the creative journey of the Krosmoz universe across animation, video games, and publishing. The exhibition will run until January 2027.
Additionally, Laika studio will present an exclusive preview of early scenes from its upcoming film Wildwood, with the presence of CEO and filmmaker Travis Knight in Annecy.
A Year-Round Cultural and Educational Center
The new institute features spacious screening rooms, artist residency spaces, areas dedicated to workshops and cultural activities, alongside a library and gift shop. It is housed in a historic 19th-century building surrounded by extensive gardens classified as French heritage sites.
Mickaël Marin, Executive Director of the Annecy Festival, emphasized that the institute aims to create a cultural center akin to the Cinémathèque Française in Paris or the Lumière Institute in Lyon, bringing together animation enthusiasts and artists from around the world.
Enhancing Annecy's Leadership in the Animation World
Gaëtan Roussel, President of the National Cinema Center, highlighted that the Annecy Festival is the largest event worldwide in the field of animation and ranks third in size among all types of film festivals. He added that the new institute will reinforce this position and establish Annecy and its surrounding region as a global animation capital throughout the year.
Dominique Boutaud, President of CITIA, the organization behind the festival, described the institute as "a place of today and the future, where animation becomes a living heritage shared by all," affirming that animation is an independent art form and a universal language connecting generations.
Education is also a fundamental pillar of the institute, offering workshops and programs aimed at young people to understand the image industry and how to engage with it.
Antoine Armand described the project as a "key landmark" that strengthens Annecy’s unique ecosystem and increases its international influence, confirming that the institute’s opening solidifies Annecy’s status as a global animation capital.
This news has been re-edited based on a report published by variety.com, maintaining the essential facts presented in the source.