Editing: Gauthier Aboudaram

The annual gathering for animation film aficionados, the Sommets du cinéma d’animation, returns from May 11 to 16 at the Cinémathèque québécoise and promises a vibrant celebration of animation in all its forms. This 24th edition will feature over 140 films, including some 50 premieres, dozens of filmmakers and special guests in attendance, a handful of professional networking events, the must-see Pitch Sessions, and a plethora of free activities, including outdoor screenings every night of the festival! Industry professionals, artists, students, and the public are all invited to take part in the festivities and explore the many facets of animated film.

COMPETITION AND SESSIONS
The Sommets du cinéma d’animation will present 60 films in the official competition. This year, the jury tasked with awarding the prizes is composed of:
• Loïc Darses, filmmaker;
• Andrea Dorfman, filmmaker;
• Randall Finnerty, visual artist;
• Micheline Lanctôt, filmmaker and actress;
• Isabelle Vanini, Executive Director of the French Association of Animated Film.

The popular Pitch Sessions will take place on Thursday, May 14, at 11 a.m. This year, the jury will include producer Marc Bertrand, Jean-Christophe J. Lamontagne, co-president of h264, and filmmaker Rachel Samson. The event is presented in collaboration with Telefilm Canada, La Caisse Desjardins de la Culture, Royal Photo, h264, and Studio Unagi.

The Young Jury, composed of four young film enthusiasts, will also be back to select the winners of three special awards as part of the 2025 Best of Annecy Kids program, which will be presented on Saturday, May 16, at 10:30 a.m.

All the 2026 Award-winning films will be announced at the Sommets Awards Ceremony on Saturday, May 16, at 5:30 p.m.

Also worth noting, the classic WIP section will feature three Work in Progress projects: on Tuesday, May 12, SKELETON by independent filmmaker Jonathan Meret at 1:00 p.m., followed by ROCHE QUI RICOCHE by Louis Bodart, produced by Béatrice Leclerc of Embuscade Films, at 2:30 p.m. Then, on Wednesday, May 13, at 2 p.m., Brigitte Archambault and Eva Cvijanović will present LE PROJET SHIATSUNG, alongside producer Félix Dufour-Laperrière of Embuscade Films and producers Christine Noël and Jelena Popović of the NFB. Don’t miss it!

SPECIAL SCREENINGS AND EVENTS
In addition to its Canadian Competition and Wide Angle programs, as well as the must-see Best of Annecy, the Sommets will feature several special screenings.

Curated and presented by filmmaker Laurence Thérien, THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF ART: DOUBLE-EDGED HUMOUR will feature a selection of graduation films from the Royal College of Art in London on Tuesday, May 12, at 5 p.m. On Thursday, May 14, Isabelle Vanini, General Delegate of the French Association of Animated Film, will present THE BEST OF RENNES—a selection of award-winning films and audience favourites from the National Animated Film Festival. The program is presented in collaboration with the Quebec Delegation in Paris.

On Wednesday, May 13, at 7:30 p.m., the Sommets will present a visual and musical performance featuring Anne-Marie Bouchard (16mm), David B. Ricard (digital video), and musicians David Nadeau-Bernatchez, Noémie Beaulieu, Claudia Gagné, and Lyne Goulet.

A new restoration of the satirical film DISTRICT! by Hungarian director Áron Gauder, winner of the Crystal for a Feature Film at Annecy in 2005, is also on the program, on Thursday, May 14 at 8:30 p.m. The following day, at 5:30 p.m., the now-classic relaxed screening—suitable for children, neuroatypical individuals, and families with infants—will take place. Les Sommets will present Ugo Bienvenu’s hit film ARCO in an inclusive environment with dimmed lights and moderate volume.

Finally, on Saturday, May 16, at 1 p.m., in collaboration with the Swiss Consulate General in Montreal and Pro Helvetia—Swiss Arts Council, the festival will present Marcel Barelli’s feature film MARY ANNING, followed by a drawing workshop with Marjolaine Perreten, the film’s art director. At 4 p.m., Studio Cinesite will invite the audience to go behind the scenes of the brand-new film ANIMAL FARM, Andy Serkis’s adaptation of George Orwell’s novel, followed by a screening. Then, the Quebec premiere of NIMUENDAJÚ by Tania Anaya will follow at 7 p.m. The film tells the story of Curt “Nimuendajú” Unckel, a scientist who lived with Brazil’s Indigenous peoples for 40 years.

OUTDOOR SCREENINGS
Starting Tuesday, May 12, the Cinémathèque Café-Bar terrace will welcome festivalgoers for free screenings every evening at 9 p.m. It will also be the perfect opportunity to try the official beer of the 2026 Sommets, brewed by Boswell. On the program: SCARLET AND ETERNITY by Mamoru Hosoda, a selection of student short films to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Cégep du Vieux Montréal’s animation film programs, the now classic “Bring Your Dog!” featuring Pablo Berger’s ROBOT DREAMS, a program of films by Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski, with the filmmakers in attendance, and, for the final night, the always festive Sommets' Karaoke, hosted by Jad Orphée Chami!

INSPIRING MEETINGS
The Sommets is a meeting place for artists, industry professionals, and the public. Throughout this year’s festival, several inspiring and free events will be held to celebrate the exchange of knowledge and talent from here and abroad.

Tuesday, May 12, 10:30 a.m. —The public is invited to meet Isabelle Vanini, Executive Director of the French Association of Animated Film (AFCA), while enjoying a morning coffee. This event is made possible thanks to the support of the Quebec Delegation in Paris.

Wednesday, May 13, 4:00 p.m. —The Sommets and the NFB are hosting a roundtable to discuss the documentary approach in animation with the second cohort of the NFB’s Alambic program.

Thursday, May 14, 2:30 p.m. —Ted Ty, a highly experienced animator at DNEG Animation, returns this year to lead a master class on character performance in a feature-length animated film.

Friday, May 15, 3:00 p.m. —Artistic Director Brigitte Henry (The Girl Who Cried Pearls, Higglety Pigglety Pop! or Life Must Have More to Offer) will discuss her prolific career and her masterful work in animated film.

Friday, May 15, 5:00 p.m. —A chance to meet Justin Lemay and Laurence Thérien, who will present the projects they developed during their residency at the Cinémathèque. This residency is made possible thanks to the support of patrons Jean-Philippe Fauteux and Marthe Cousineau.

Saturday, May 16, 3 p.m. —One year after receiving the Guy-L.-Coté Grand Prize for Hairy Legs, Nova Scotia filmmaker Andrea Dorfman opens the doors to her colourful world during what promises to be a thrilling master class! This event is presented in collaboration with the NFB.

2026 PASSPORT
THE best way to get the most out of the 24th Sommets du cinéma d’animation is to get the Passport! Film lovers can purchase theirs now at the Cinémathèque québécoise box office for just $65.