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3 days ago
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Standout Canadian Titles in Annecy's Official 2025 Lineup
Canada arrives at this year's Annecy International Animation Film Festival with a slate that is as diverse in tone and subject matter as it is rich in innovation. From searing political features to whimsical short films, Canadian creators once again prove they are major players in the global animation arena. Here's a closer look at some of the high-profile Canadian titles and co-productions in the official selection at this year's festival. FEATURE FILMS – OFFICIAL COMPETITION More from Variety Preserving the Past and Powering the Future of Canadian Animation: Inside the NFB and Telefilm's Industry-Leading Support Strategies Immersive Domes, Checkered-Eared Rabbits and a New Platform: Hungary to Showcase 111 Years of Animation as Annecy Country of Honor Animation and Heart: The Directors of Gkids Pick-Up 'Little Amélie' Reflect on Collaborative Spirit in Bringing 'The Character of Rain' to Screen 'Allah Is Not Obliged,' Zaven Najjar (Belgium, Canada, France, Luxembourg) Based on Ahmadou Kourouma's celebrated novel, this animated adaptation by Zaven Najjar is a bold and harrowing account of a child soldier's journey through West Africa's brutal civil wars. Blending animation with documentary-style narration, Najjar crafts a visually arresting and emotionally resonant exploration of violence, survival and lost innocence. 'Death Does Not Exist,' Félix Dufour-Laperrière Following his acclaimed 'Archipelago,' Dufour-Laperrière returns with another poetic, philosophically rich feature. 'Death Does Not Exist' is less a narrative film and more an existential meditation, layering hand-drawn textures and voiceovers into a lyrical journey through memory, loss and metaphysical wonder. FEATURE FILMS – CONTRECHAMP COMPETITION 'Endless Cookie,' Seth Scriver, Pete Scriver The Scriver brothers dive into absurdist territory with 'Endless Cookie,' a surreal, offbeat tale that plays like a stoner parable for late-stage capitalism. Their crudely charming animation style belies sharp social commentary, as a group of misfits chase after a never-ending dessert. 'Space Cadet' – Eric San aka Kid Koala Musician and multimedia artist Kid Koala ventures into feature-length animation with 'Space Cadet,' based on his 2011 graphic novel. This dialogue-free sci-fi story is narrated through music and motion, as a young girl astronaut navigates space and solitude. The film is deeply atmospheric, combining handmade aesthetics with an emotive, electronic score to craft a meditative journey about separation and connection. SHORT FILM COMPETITION 'Bread Will Walk,' Alex Boya Alex Boya's signature style, precise draftsmanship blended with chaotic surrealism, is on full display in this nightmarish parable featuring the voice work of Jay Baruchel. 'Bread Will Walk' blurs the line between grotesque comedy and cautionary tale as sentient bread zombies trudge through a broken world. 'Fusion,' Richard Reeves Known for using direct-on-film animation, Richard Reeves returns with 'Fusion,' a kinetic, abstract short scored by a pulsating jazz composition. Every frame is a painted rhythm, forming a hypnotic experience that's more musical than narrative. Reeves continues to push boundaries with meditative control and explosive energy. 'Hairy Legs,' Andrea Dorfman Dorfman, known for her feminist lens and handmade style, delivers an empowering short that's playful yet poignant. 'Hairy Legs' is a colorful ode to body autonomy, presenting one woman's decision to embrace her natural self in a society obsessed with grooming. 'The Girl Who Cried Pearls,' Chris Lavis, Maciek Szczerbowski This hauntingly beautiful fable from the Clyde Henry duo blends stop-motion, puppetry and gothic design into a dark fairytale. Following a girl who cries pearls and the boy who secretly falls in love with her, the story is rich with symbolic depth, tackling themes of exploitation, desire and transformation. Lavis and Szczerbowski have crafted one of the year's most visually arresting animated shorts, and this title should get lots of awards recognition as the year progresses. 'The Gnawer of Rocks,' Louise Flaherty An Inuit tale reimagined through atmospheric animation, 'The Gnawer of Rocks' is both a cultural preservation and a chilling tale. Flaherty's work stands out for its minimalistic style and narrative restraint, letting the stark beauty of Arctic folklore speak for itself. PERSPECTIVES 'Bloody Mess,' Megan Wennberg A raw, satirical take on menstrual stigma, 'Bloody Mess' turns a taboo into animated liberation, balancing personal anecdotes with educational bite. It's advocacy through absurdism: accessible, memorable and necessary. 'Ibuka, Justice,' Justice Rutikara This powerful documentary revisits the Rwandan genocide through the lens of Canadian survivors and justice seekers. Rutikara uses spare visuals and voice-driven storytelling to navigate trauma, remembrance and the pursuit of reconciliation. YOUNG AUDIENCES 'The Great Annual Party of the Creatures of the Moon,' Francis Desharnais A joyful, whimsical entry for younger viewers, Desharnais's film celebrates difference and community through a lunar festival attended by eccentric monsters. With charming visuals and a celebratory tone, the film offers a gentle allegory on inclusion and self-acceptance. GRADUATION FILMS 'Passageways,' Geneviève Tremblay, Milla Cummings From emerging talents Tremblay and Cummings comes a dreamlike, nonlinear short exploring themes of identity and change. Fluid transitions and morphing landscapes evoke an emotional liminality, capturing the essence of growing up and moving on. A strong debut with visual and emotional sophistication. COMMISSIONED FILMS CNESST 'Hanging by a Thread,' Dale Hayward, Pierre Dalpé A compelling safety PSA, 'Hanging by a Thread' uses stop-motion to dramatize the fragility of workplace well-being. Hayward and Dalpé bring their tactile expertise to an urgent public issue, wrapping advocacy in captivating visuals that demand attention. 'South of Midnight,' Chris Lavis, Maciek Szczerbowski This atmospheric teaser for the upcoming video game 'South of Midnight' brings Lavis and Szczerbowski's moody craftsmanship into the gaming world. Blending Southern Gothic imagery with meticulous stop-motion, the spot sets a tone of eerie beauty and narrative intrigue. Trailer: 22nd Sommets du cinéma d'animation de Montréal, Daniel Gies A vibrant, energetic showcase, Gies' trailer captures the spirit of Montreal's leading animation festival with flair, combining dynamic movement with a celebration of artistic diversity. Best of Variety 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Animated Program — Can Netflix Score Big With 'Arcane,' 'Devil May Cry' and the Final Season of 'Big Mouth?'
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Telefilm Cancels Canada House Presence at SXSW Amid Political Tensions
Telefilm Canada, the Canadian federal government's film financer, has cancelled its Canada House event at the 2025 South by Southwest Conference and Festival amid cross-border political tensions. Canada House at the Austin, Texas media festival has long been a meeting hub for Canadian content producers, musicians, film distributors and other industry players looking to network, forge international sales and secure funding from foreign partners. More from The Hollywood Reporter AP Will Remain Banned From White House Press Pool Following "Gulf of Mexico" Dispute Berlin According to...'Paul' Director Denis Côté Sadie Sink Sings to Save the World in Trailer for Rock Opera 'O'Dessa' But SXSW this year coincides with a threat of a 25 percent tariff on Canadian and Mexican exports to the U.S. from the Trump administration. 'Through the Canada House, Telefilm relies on partnerships to ensure financial viability. Unfortunately, due to the withdrawal of key financial partners, we have had to make the difficult decision to pause the Canada House, as we could not sustain the same level of investments,' Telefilm Canada said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. The Canadian film financier had no comment on the reasons for the withdrawal of support by traditional Canada House partners. Telefilm Canada hosts similar Canadian industry pavilions to showcase homegrown content and talent at the European Film Market in Berlin, the Cannes Film Festival, MIPTV and MIPCOM and the Toronto Film Festival, among other events. Among the backers to pull support for Canada House at SXSW this year — generally by taking space in the pavilion — is the Canadian Independent Music Association, a professional organization for the Canadian independent music industry. At the same time, Telefilm Canada will continue to help fund the Canadian Innovation Lounge at the 2025 SXSW festival. 'Telefilm remains committed to championing Canadian talent and celebrating their achievements at SXSW. We will continue to be present, supporting Canadian teams whose films/projects are selected, and engaging with the industry at the Canadian Innovation Lounge,' the federal government agency said in its statement. Best of The Hollywood Reporter How the Warner Brothers Got Their Film Business Started Meet the World Builders: Hollywood's Top Physical Production Executives of 2023 Men in Blazers, Hollywood's Favorite Soccer Podcast, Aims for a Global Empire
