The Annecy International Animation Film Festival concluded its 2025 edition with a grand awards ceremony where the animated feature “Arco” took home the prestigious Cristal award. The event, usually filled with high spirits and celebration, took on a more somber tone this year due to the escalating violence in Gaza, Israel, and Iran.
Iranian filmmaker Sepideh Farsi, a member of the feature jury, addressed the audience with a heartfelt message about the urgent need for change in the world. She spoke about the ongoing genocide in Gaza and shared a personal story of a friend who lost her life in an Israeli airstrike. Farsi emphasized the importance of using the platform of cinema to bring about meaningful change and called for a free Palestine and Iran.
The festival’s top winner, “Arco,” directed by Ugo Bienveu, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and explores themes of friendship, loss, and environmental issues through stunning 2D animation. Other notable winners included Yasuhiro Aoki’s “ChaO” and Momoko Seto’s “Dandelion’s Odyssey.”
The awards ceremony also recognized outstanding short films, TV productions, commissioned films, graduation films, and VR works. Special prizes were awarded to a diverse range of filmmakers from around the world, highlighting the talent and creativity present in the animation industry.
Overall, the 2025 Annecy International Animation Film Festival showcased a wide variety of animated films that captivated audiences and showcased the power of animation to tell compelling stories and address important social issues. The event served as a platform for filmmakers to come together and celebrate the art of animation while also reflecting on the current state of the world and the need for positive change.
