As attendees of the Annecy Animation Festival try to avoid the scorching sun as much as possible, Warner Bros. Pictures Animation turned up the heat at the 2026 Annecy Showcase today, announcing both the new title and additional voice cast for its upcoming feature Bad Fairies, as well as details on upcoming original productions.
The studio’s biggest announcement came from Warner Bros. Pictures Animation President Bill Damaschke himself, who took to the stage to announce a partnership with acclaimed animator and creator Vivian Medrano on the new original animated musical film Prehistoria, marking the feature directorial debut of the creator of the popular films Hazbin Hotel and Helluva Boss.
Medrano, also known as “VivziePop,” has emerged as one of the most influential voices in independent animation over the past decade, building a global fanbase through his groundbreaking YouTube-driven projects and unique visual style. The creator’s work on the “Hellaverse” series has developed a passionate and highly engaged audience, with her content generating billions of views and establishing her as a leading cross-platform storyteller.
“Ever since I started my career in animation, my biggest dream has been to be a part of a feature film,” said Medrano. “It’s a dream come true to be able to create an original story that I’ve been working on for years with Warner Bros. Pictures Animation, a studio whose characters and stories have been such a big part of my life. I’m so excited to be able to share this fossilized fantasy world with you!”
Damaschke went on to share more details about this new feature. Set outside of the Hellaverse, the film highlights Warner Bros. Animation’s continued commitment to collaborating with bold creator-driven voices and leveraging emerging talent with a strong direct connection to fans.
The proof is unmistakable in Bad Fairies, which Warner Bros. Pictures Animation and Locksmith Animation brought to Annecy ahead of its May 21, 2027 release.
On stage, director Megan Nicole Dong and co-director Olivier Stafilas revealed more details about their new punk original musical comedy about a group of hilariously destructive fairies that shakes up a magical world, offering a first look at two clips in production and the film’s main song, “Live Out Loud,” sung by Cynthia Erivo and British actress Serana Suelyn Bliss (“Enola Holmes 2″). “Belfast,” “Harry Potter,” Faye’s voice).
The pair also added that previously announced cast members Cynthia Erivo and Ncuti Gatwa will be joined by British comedians James Acaster (voice of Stickers on Netflix’s Repertory and HBO Max’s Heckler’s Welcome) and Dee Bradley Baker (voice of Ground Beef). One of animation’s most prolific voice actors, Baker is known for voicing clone troopers throughout the Star Wars animated universe, including Klaus on American Dad!, Perry the Platypus on Phineas and Ferb, and Appa and Momo on Avatar: The Last Airbender.
(LR): Serana Suelyn Bliss, James Acaster, Dee Bradley Baker. Credit AP Wilding/James Acaster/Storm Santos
“Bad Fairies” was directed by Megan Nicole Dong and co-directed by Olivier Stafilas from an original screenplay by Deborah Frances-White. Tony Award-winning duo Toby Marlowe and Lucy Moss (Six: The Musical) wrote the original music, and Grammy-nominated Isabella “Machine” Summers (Florence and the Machine) composed the score and contributed musical compositions. Ian Eisendrath (KPop Demon Hunters) is the executive music producer.
The film’s creative team includes producer Carolyn Soper (“Rapunzel”), editor Sim Evan-Jones (“Shrek 2,” “Shaun the Lamb”), cinematographer James C.J. Williams, and character designer. The film is currently in production with DNEG in London and also includes director Uwe Heidshotter, story directors Rikke Asbjorn and Chris Garbutt, and production designers Justin Hutchinson-Chatburn and Mike Redman. Animation becomes your digital partner
As highlighted before the screening, Bad Fairies will be the first feature film to be released under the first-look agreement between Warner Bros. Pictures Animation and Locksmith Animation, and is scheduled for theatrical release through Warner Bros. Pictures on May 21, 2027.
The second film from WBPA and Locksmith Animation is The Lunar Chronicles, which will be released worldwide on November 3, 2028. Noel Raffaele and producer Christina Steinberg were also introduced on stage, presenting a new video clip to an already excited Annecy audience.
As part of the showcase, Damaschke, Erika Rivinoja, Alessandro Carloni, and producer Daniela Mazzucato also unveiled extensive footage of the latest Dr. Seuss film adaptation, The Cat in the Hat, scheduled for release in November, as well as Swaybox Studios’ exclusive Dynamic Duo reel, produced in partnership with DC Studios and Sixth & Idaho.
Dynamic Duo, a new project the team has dubbed a breakthrough fusion of puppetry, practical artistry, and cutting-edge technology, combines a modern coming-of-age story with DC’s legacy characters, with both Red Hood and Batman appearing before a raucous crowd at Annecy.
Damaschke highlighted the studio’s resilience, adding, “Under Arthur Mintz’s leadership, the Swaybox team is moving the medium of animation forward, building on visionary puppetry like Jim Henson while redefining what is possible with today’s tools and technology.”
The WBPA president also praised the characters, also known as “Looney Tunes,” who helped make Warner Bros. one of the leading animation studios. The previously announced short ‘Daffy Season’ was introduced by directors Todd Wilderman and Hamish Grieve, much to the delight of the benevolent short-savvy Annecy audience.
The presentation suggested that WBPA has a slate of productions in store for the coming years, with seven theatrical films and one theatrical short scheduled for release between 2026 and 2028.
Serrana Su-Ling Bliss is represented by Artist Partnership. James Acaster is repped by PBJ Management UK, CAA and Sue Terry Voices. Dee Bradley Baker is repped by Sutton, Barth and Venari Talent. Vivian Medrano is repped by CAA, Redefine Entertainment and RLG.
