Marcel et Monsieur Pagnol.;
Credit: Bidibul Productions
On Wednesday 23 April 2025, the Annecy International Animation Film Festival announced its official selection for its 2025 edition which will take place from Monday 9 to Sunday 15 June 2025 in Annecy, France.
According to Film Fund Luxembourg, this edition particularly highlights Luxembourg animated creation, with several national productions and co-productions competing in the various sections of the festival.
The official selection for the competition includes the following films with Luxembourg connections:
Marcel et Monsieur Pagnol, directed by Sylvain Chomet.
Co-produced by France, Belgium and Luxembourg (Bidibul Productions), this feature film retraces the life of Marcel Pagnol, an emblematic figure in French literature and cinema. From his childhood in Provence to his involvement during World War II, including the founding of his own film studios, the film pays homage to a pioneer of talking pictures. The 2D animation, sets and layout were carried out in Luxembourg by Doghouse Studio, while sound postproduction was entrusted to Philophon Studios. A preview screening is scheduled for the Special Screenings at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, before being released in Luxembourg in autumn 2025.
Allah is not Obliged, directed by Zaven Najjar.
Adapted from the novel by Ahmadou Kourouma, this first feature film by Zaven Najjar is a co-production between France, Luxembourg, Belgium and Canada. The Luxembourg section was produced by Paul Thiltges Distributions, with layout, compositing, animation and special effects carried out at the Fabrique d’Images in Differdange. Philophon also handled the sound postproduction.
A Walk in the Afterlife, directed by Jiyun Jeong.
Selected in the Young Audiences category, this poetic short film is the work of Jiyun Jeong, a young South Korean and New Zealand filmmaker who graduated from the University of Luxembourg (Bachelor's degree in Animation). Supported by the Film Fund Luxembourg as part of the "Carte Blanche" programme, the film marks the first international recognition for this emerging director, currently working as a 3D animator in Luxembourg.
In addition to the competition, three other films co-produced in Luxembourg will be screened in the "Annecy Presents" section, a non-competitive showcase open since 2024 to films from around the world:
Spiked by Caroline Origer: co-production with Belgium, France, Luxembourg (Fabrique d'Images) and United Kingdom.
Stitch Head by Steve Hudson: co-production with Germany and Luxembourg (Fabrique d'Images).
Thelma's Perfect Birthday by Reinis Kalnaellis: co-production with Latvia and Luxembourg (Paul Thiltges Distributions).
According to the organisers, Luxembourg's strong presence at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2025 testifies to the vitality and established influence of its animation sector on the international scene.
