The Annecy International Animation Film Festival has announced a stacked program of special events featuring Brad Bird’s Ray Gun, Pixar’s Gut, Ricky Gervais’ Alley Cats, and a Rick and Morty spin-off.
Two-time Academy Award winner Brad Bird will make his long-awaited return to Annecy to introduce his new film Ray Gun to audiences at the Next on Netflix showcase, one of the biggest must-see events at the French festival, the world’s largest animation gathering.
A passion project more than 30 years in the making, Ray Gun is a Skydance animated feature written, directed and produced by Bird, with previously announced voice actors Scarlett Johansson, Sam Rockwell and Tom Waits. In a moderated on-stage conversation, the visionary director of The Iron Giant and The Incredibles offers personal insight into the project.
Announcing the lineup at the French CNC National Film Board in Paris on Tuesday, the festival’s artistic director Marcel Jean also confirmed that Netflix will be releasing an exclusive preview of next year’s animated Ghostbusters series, revealing that showrunners Ben Hibbon and Elliott Curran will be introducing future additions to the spooky series.
In addition to this presentation, Netflix is bringing Ricky Gervais’ “Alley Cats” to Annecy. The upcoming outrageously emotional adult animated comedy about a pack of feral cats will be at the center of an exclusive masterclass from the award-winning comedian and creator. As part of the discussion, Netflix will offer a worldwide exclusive preview of the first two episodes ahead of the series’ debut this summer.
As part of the invitation to Annecy to receive the Crystal of Honor, legendary King of the Hill director Mike Judge will also give a masterclass ahead of the pre-release preview of Season 15 of the hit series. To introduce the new season, judges will be joined by executive producer and co-creator Greg Daniels and season 15 showrunner Saladin K. Patterson.
From California to Annecy, Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios travel with two back-to-back presentations that have become a definite highlight of Annecy Fridays in recent years.
Ahead of its November 25th release, Hexed’s director Fawn Viera-Santone, Jason Hand, and Josie Trinidad will take to the stage to reveal never-before-seen footage from the studio’s upcoming original feature film, an all-new magical coming-of-age story starring Hailee Steinfeld and Rashida Jones.
Pixar will take you behind the scenes of its upcoming feature film Gatto, which was first announced on the same stage last year. Academy Award-nominated director Enrico Casarosa transports audiences to a world of Venetian canals, cat mob bosses, and terrifying superstitions. At this special presentation, Annecy audiences will learn more about the film’s creative spirit and unique hand-drawn animation style, and how Casarosa and the Pixar team brought this original story to life.
In addition to this preview, audiences will also see exclusive footage of Pixar’s upcoming all-new short film. Directed by Enrico Casarosa and Lou Hamou-Razi and produced by Mary Alice Drumm.
Having previously announced several previews and exclusive previews, Warner Bros. Animation and Adult Swim aim to captivate the hearts of comics, toons and adult anime fans across Annecy. The world premiere of Looney Tunes’ latest installment, Daffy Season, which coincides with the fan-favorite duck turning 90 next year, will also include the first look at The Cat in the Hat, which was announced as being in production at Annecy last year. The presentation concludes with an introduction to Warner Bros. Animation’s upcoming lineup in the presence of Warner Bros. Animation Pictures President Bill Damaschke and the directors.
Additionally, Adult Swim will once again rock Annecy with extensive previews, from the world premiere and making-of of President Curtis, a new series co-created by Rick and Morty producers Dan Harmon and James Siciliano and starring Keith David as Curtis, to the premiere of the new Adult Swim comedy My Two Cars, created by Dan Licata and Joe Pera.
Independent animation studios Laika and Aardman are both set to give first looks at their upcoming projects, with LAIKA CEO Travis Knight set to share behind-the-scenes footage and preview images of “Wildwood,” which will also be on display as part of the Annecy International Animation Institute’s opening exhibit.
Further highlights from the stacked special event program include previews of DreamWorks’ upcoming The Forgotten Island and cult comic book adaptation Rogue Troopers, as well as French animation giant Fauribaly’s upcoming project Children of Liberty and Rémi Chaillet’s new film Fleurs.
