If Cannes’ Annecy Animation Showcase is established as the appetizer for June’s Annecy Festival, the lineup for this first EFM Animation Days is nothing short of a hearty breakfast. In addition to the five projects listed in Annecy’s Friday presentation, a carefully curated selection completes the robust slate of 28 presentations. Producers have the opportunity to showcase their projects at various stages of development and financing, but each has something noteworthy to discover.
From small independent producers to established animation giants, all teams will use the Berlinale as a global platform, proving once again the potential of the medium and its strong market appeal.
Our selection of 10 films highlights the diversity of what the animation industry can do in these changing circumstances. That means pushing forward with unique creative visions and bold artistic choices.
Annecy EFM Animation Showcase
This year’s five titles, ranging from historical drama to folk horror to eco-friendly sci-fi adventure, were hand-picked by our team at Annecy.
door to the forest
“Door to the Forest” Jola Kudela (Poland, France, Czech Republic, Belgium)
Inspired by real people and real events in history, this new animated feature tells the story of two young Poles (Antek, hiding in Breslau, and Viktor, a concentration camp survivor) who are reunited decades after their separation, through Antek’s granddaughter Jola, who helps Viktor open the door to a creative future. A journey through the history of the three tyrannical regimes that tore Europe apart in the last century: Fascism, Stalinism, and Communism.
Producer: Opus Film, Les Films du Poisson Rouge, PFX
Genre: Historical drama
Artistic methods: 2D, 3D, rotoscoping
Completion: 2028
Grandma is a tree!
“Grandma is a tree!” Hugo de Fourcompre (France, Luxembourg)
Grandma Onion, Jane’s wayward grandmother, takes her last eternal nap after lunch. Against her mother’s decision, Jane takes on the responsibility of fulfilling her grandmother’s last wishes. Grandma Onion’s will states that she chooses a natural, organic reduction for her funeral. In short, she wants to be “humiliated”! Jane’s mother, Cecil, is against it. Furthermore, it is not legal in France either. But Jane’s resolve is firm. And then, along with Grandma’s playful ghost, she sets off on a wild escape to the edge of the tangible world.
Producer: Laïdak Films, Dandeloo, Doghouse
Genre: Comedy, Adventure, Modern Story
Artistic method: 2D, hand-drawn background
Completion: 2028
MouMoush – King of Plastics
“MouMoush – The King of Plastic” Milorad Krstic (Hungary)
While on vacation in Transylvania, two curious siblings from Paris (10-year-old Margot and 14-year-old Liam) become embroiled in a time-travel adventure. What is their mission? In order to stop the powerful Moomush, known as the King of Plastic, who plans to take over the entire world. The team behind Ruben Brandt has created a long-awaited feature film that combines themes of fantasy, time travel, and the environment with the director’s unique sense of humor.
Producer: Mums Production LLC
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure
Artistic method: 2D, 3D
Completion: 2028
pesta
“Pesta” Hanne Verkerk (Norway, Germany, France)
As the horrors of the Black Death stir up fear and superstition, Astrid, an aristocratic Catholic girl, experiences the bliss of first love with a pagan outcast named Dolphin. When Iruka is accused of witchcraft by a system based on lies, telling the truth becomes the most dangerous thing to do. Set in Norway in 1349, Pesta is a romantic horror folktale that blurs the line between reality and fantasy, creating a fascinating love story that transcends social norms. It’s a title that promises a chilling journey into the dark side of Nordic folklore.
Producers: Mikrofilm, Knudsen Pictures, Rosalie Films, Charades
Genre: Romantic Horror
Artistic method: 2D
Completion: 2029
“Zako” Tigran Arakelyan (Armenia, France, Lithuania)
Armenian painter Zako, also known as Sargis Mangasaryan (a name given to him by the Germans), survived in a Nazi prisoner of war camp solely by painting portraits of torturers. In 1956, he shockingly discovered one of Picasso’s iconic masterpieces, “Guernica,” and realized that much of his talent had been suppressed by both Nazi Germany and then Soviet-era communism in Armenia. Arakelian, who adapted the graphic novel Zako into a film with this feature, says the film will combine modern VR technology with classic CG tools to create a new visual language suitable for adapting this story to the screen.
Producer: OnOff Studio, Sacrebleu Productions, Broom Films
Genre: Historical drama
Artistic method: 3D
Completion: 2028
spotlight
In addition to this lineup, spotlights from Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Central and Eastern European countries, as well as an international animation showcase, complete this packed offering. Here are five (very) early-stage projects that piqued our curiosity.
“Fifteen Dogs” Chris Landreth (Canada)
Fifteen Dogs, based on Andre Alexis’ Giller Prize-winning novel, is Copperheart Ent’s latest project. (“Night at the Zoo Calypse”). What begins as a bet between Greek gods to bestow human intelligence on a group of Toronto dogs turns into a fast-paced animated drama as the newly wise pets navigate shifting loyalties, a new language, and new identities.
Producer: Copperheart Entertainment (Stephen Hoban, Mark Smith)
Genre: Drama (for youth/adults)
“Acorn Adventures” Philipp Maszek (Czech Republic, Germany)
Developed last year as part of Annecy’s MIFA feature presentations, The Adventures of the Acorn is helmed by visionary director Philippe Machek and brings animation into the hands of children. The film is a beautiful CG project filled with whimsical forest characters designed with the bold imaginations of nature-loving children. Kido, a boy made of acorns, tries to find purpose in a forest village where every little character already seems to have a defined role. Animated adventure with catchy, kid-friendly logs (lines): Be yourself, even if you don’t know what it is yet.
Producer: Pure Shore, Fabian & Fred
Genre: Family Adventure
“Pirate King” (Netherlands/Taiwan)
Presented by Submarine’s project animation producer Alex Dowding, 3D animated fantasy adventure The Pirate King is currently in development as a rather unique Dutch-Taiwanese co-production. Stories of unlikely friendships, myths, and adventures are fused into a project that reflects Submarine’s passion for collaborative storytelling on a global scale.
Producer: Submarine, Studio2 Animation Lab
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure
treasure island
“Treasure Island” (Germany)
What if the protagonist of Stevenson’s beloved classic were a girl, and a cat? In this new animated musical, Jane Hawkins is fed up with her boring life at a cat boarding school. Will the ship set off on a dangerous treasure hunt to a remote island be the key to her freedom?
Animated with rich CG animation, this new take on the classic pirate story with animal elements is likely to conquer the hearts of audiences around the world.
Production: Little Dream Entertainment
Genre: Family Entertainment, Musical
“Red & Glaze” (UK)
“Reds & Grays” from Two Daughters Entertainment (“Master Moley,” “The Land of Sometime”) is an original story deeply rooted in the real-life ecological conflict between red and gray squirrels. In a uniquely British setting, this adventure blends romance, rebellion, and political intrigue in a fun, fluffy Romeo and Juliet-inspired tale with universal themes.
Producer: Two Daughters Entertainment
Genre: Family Entertainment
