The Marché du Film is thrilled to announce the return of Animation Day, taking place on Sunday, 18 May 2025, in partnership with Annecy Festival — the world’s leading event dedicated to animation.
This special day in Cannes will once again shine a light on the vibrancy and diversity of animated storytelling through a dedicated program of showcases, expert talks, and networking events, bringing together filmmakers, producers, buyers, and animation professionals from around the world.
At the heart of the day is the Annecy Animation Showcase, which will present a curated selection of five animated works-in-progress from international creators. Co-organized with Annecy Film Festival since 2019, this much-anticipated showcase invites sales agents, distributors, and festival programmers to discover standout projects still in development and meet the creative teams behind them.
The titles to be presented at this year’s 2025 Annecy Animation Showcase are:
- JULIÁN | by Louise Bagnall
Wide-eyed Julián spends a summer of discovery in Brooklyn with his Abuela. Nearly strangers, they brace themselves for tense conversations and new adventures. Julián explores the magic of his Caribbean heritage, Abuela’s Brooklyn neighborhood and his own assertion that he is really a mermaid!
(Ireland, UK, Canada, Denmark, Luxembourg) - SUNNY | by Michael Arias
In 1970s Japan, Star Kids is a foster home for children with nowhere else to go. Navigating lives of heartbreak and isolation, newcomer Sei, streetwise Haruo, scrappy Junsuke, and their ragtag friends find joy in “The Sunny”, a rusted-out vintage car sitting in the yard. The Sunny is both a clubhouse and an escape in which kids can travel anywhere their imaginations will take them.
(Japan, USA)
- ANA, EN PASSANT | by Fernanda Alves Salgado
After the death of her grandmother, Ana finds herself adrift in her own city, Paris. Following her clues, Ana travels to Brazil and finds Alice, her double, renting her grandmother’s old apartment. In deciphering the affective cartography of the city, its memories, and ancestral connections, Ana and Alice unravel what it means to become who they are.
(Brazil, Portugal) - DANTE | by Linda Hambäck
10 million disappear and the suspect, Helge, is forced to flee and ends up in the dump, where he meets Dante the rat. In the search of the truth, two heads clash, but does friendship have a price? The search goes through trash, gold and dynamite.
(Sweden, Denmark, Norway) - MU YI AND THE HANDSOME GENERAL | by Julien Chheng
Mu Yi, 14, lives on a secluded mountain in China, which is forbidden to men. With her two friends, she encounters an opera troupe renowned for The Handsome General play. As she invites them to perform in her village, an angry spirit awakens. To restore balance, Mu Yi embarks on a life-changing journey through old China, uncovering the secrets of love, courage and self-made destiny.
(France)
Animation Day 2025 will also offer a series of insightful panels and case studies exploring key topics and industry shifts. From the growing global impact of anime — presented by Crunchyroll — to a behind-the-scenes look at the Oscar-winning Flow and a discussion on the mechanics of international co-productions, this year’s program offers an insightful look at the evolving animation landscape.
The day will conclude with the Animation Cocktail, a friendly and informal gathering on the Terrasse UniFrance — offering professionals the chance to network, exchange ideas, and celebrate the art of animation in a relaxed, open-air setting.