Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2025 Winners
The French feature film "Arco" directed by Ugo Bending won the prestigious Cristal Award for the best feature film at the 2025 Annecy International Animation Film Festival. The film was produced by Felix de Givry for France’s Memoires and Natalie Portman and Sophie Mas for the US company Mountaina, and is co-written by Bienvenu and de Givry.
Film Synopsis
"Arco" tells the story of a rainbow that falls to earth and a little girl who helps it return home. The film debuted in the official selection at Cannes last month as a special screening title. The story follows the adventures of the little girl and the rainbow as they navigate the challenges of getting back home.
Main Competition Winners
The jury award in the main competition went to the Japanese title "Chao" directed by Yasuhiro Aoki, a story of human and animal relationships in Shanghai in the near future. The best friend forever secured international rights to "Chao" this week. The Paul Grimault Award went to Momoko Seto’s France-Belgium co-production "Dandelion – Odyssey", which combines computer animation and time-lapse photography.
Special Awards
The Gan Foundation Award for Distribution went to Irene Iborra Rizo’s "Olivia and the Invisible Earthquake", a co-production between Spain, France, Belgium, Chile, and Switzerland. The audience award went to the French feature "Little Amelie or the Character of the Rain". In the Contrechamp category, Seth Scribner and Pete Scribner’s animated documentary "Endless Biscuit" took the Grand Prix, while Bo-Sol Kim’s South Korean film "The Square" won the jury award.
Mifa Market Winners
In the Mifa market, Gorune Aprikian’s "Maryam & Varto" won the SACD price for the best pitch. The story is set in Anatolia in 1915 and follows two Armenian children who are trapped in the unrest of the war, and a Turkish teenager who tries to save them.
Full List of Winners
The awards were distributed at a ceremony in the Bonlieu event. 10 special prices and two distinctions were presented on Friday, June 13th, in a separate ceremony. "Arco" took the best original soundtrack price and a distinction in the same category that goes to Canadian-French co-production "Death Does Not Exist".
Feature Film Winners
- Cristal for feature film – "Arco" (France) Dir. Ugo Bending
- Jury award – "Chao" (Japan) Dir. Yasuhiro Aoki
- Paul Grimault Award – "Dandelion – Odyssey" (France-Belgium) Dir. Momoko Seto
- Gan Foundation Award for Distribution – "Olivia and the Invisible Earthquake" (Spain-France-Belgium-Chile-Switzerland) Dir. Irene Iborra Rizo
- Audience award – "Little Amelie or the Character of the Rain" (France)
Contrechamp Winners
- Grand Prix – "Endless Biscuit" (Canada) Dirs. Seth Scribner, Pete Scribner
- Jury award – "The Square" (South Korea) Dir. Bo-Sol Kim
Special Awards
- Sacem Award for the best original soundtrack – "Arco" (France) for Arnaud Toulon
- Pablo Pico award, Sacem Award for the best original soundtrack – "Death Does Not Exist" (Canada-France) for Jean L’Paleau
Mifa Winners
- SACD price for a pitch – "Maryam & Varto" (France) Dir. Gorune Aprikian
