The Annecy International Animation film festival, a cornerstone event for the animation industry, concluded its 2026 edition with a flurry of exciting announcements. Held in Southeast France, the festival serves as a global stage for showcasing the latest in animated film and television, attracting major studios and independent creators alike.
This year’s festival was marked by significant revelations from industry giants such as Disney, Warner Bros., and Amazon, each unveiling projects that promise to shape the future of animation. From highly anticipated feature films to innovative television series, the announcements reflect a dynamic and evolving landscape for animated storytelling.
The Walt Disney Company’s Animated Slate
The Walt Disney Company made a strong presence at the 2026 Annecy Festival, showcasing a diverse range of projects from its various animation studios. On June 26, directors Fawn Veerasunthorn, Jason Hand, and Malcon Pierce took the stage to present upcoming releases from Walt Disney Animation Studios.
One of the standout announcements was Disney’s Hexed an all-new magical coming-of-age saga directed by Veerasunthorn and Hand. The film follows Billie, an impulsive teenage girl who discovers secret magical abilities, voiced by Hailee Steinfeld. The movie is set to release on November 25, 2026, and promises a spectacle-filled journey into a vast witch realm called Hexe.
In addition to feature films, Disney also unveiled Lilo & Scratch an animated short debuting with Hexed. This short marks the return of Stitch, the beloved character from Lilo & Stitch, and introduces a new chaotic creature, Scratch. The short combines hand-drawn and CG animation techniques, offering a fresh take on the classic characters.
Pixar’s Upcoming Adventures
Pixar Animation Studios revealed new details about its upcoming film Gatto directed by Enrico Casarosa. The film follows Nero, a scrappy black cat voiced by Mark Ruffalo, as he navigates the canal-ridden city of Venice. Gatto is set to release in theaters on March 5, 2027, and promises a blend of comedy and emotion.
Pixar also announced Loving Dory an animated short set in the world of Finding Nemo. The short explores Dory’s curious nature and her unexpected romantic entanglement with a plastic bag. Directed by Lou Hamou-Lhadj, the short is set to debut in the near future.
Warner Bros.’s Diverse Animation Slate
Warner Bros. Animation had a busy week at Annecy, announcing a variety of new projects across its slate. The studio unveiled four new DC Studios shows, including an anime about the Joker titled Last Laugh directed by Yasuhiro Aoki. The series promises a unique take on the iconic villain.
Another notable announcement was Absolute Batman an adaptation of an alternate universe comic reimagining Bruce Wayne as a blue-collar worker. The series is executive produced by Scott Snyder, the original writer of the comic, and showcases footage during the presentation.
Warner Bros. also confirmed the development of a Powerpuff Girls feature film, though the reception to this announcement has been mixed. The studio’s diverse slate also includes an HBO Max spinoff of Adventure Time and a feature debut from Vivienne Medrano, creator of Hazbin Hotel.
Other Notable Announcements
Crunchyroll made waves with its acquisition of The Wolf a French animated movie based on a graphic novel by the creator of Snowpiercer. The film is directed by the team behind the acclaimed I Lost My Body and represents one of Crunchyroll’s biggest non-anime acquisitions.
Amazon also made a significant announcement with the unveiling of a Conan the Barbarian animated series from Genndy Tartakovsky. The series is set to be a perfect fit for Tartakovsky’s action-packed style, known for shows like Primal.
The festival also saw the announcement of a Shrek spinoff prequel about Donkey, titled Donkey. While the announcement was met with some skepticism, it adds to the diverse range of projects unveiled at Annecy.
From Disney’s magical sagas to Warner Bros.’s diverse slate, the Annecy International Animation Film festival 2026 has set the stage for an exciting future in animation. With a wealth of new projects on the horizon, animation enthusiasts have plenty to look forward to in the coming years.
