Animation First 2022 — Festival Program
In-Person at FIAF: Fri, Feb 11–Sun, Feb 13
Online Nationwide: Mon, Feb 14–Mon, Feb 21
FIAF was proud to celebrate the fifth anniversary of its popular Animation First Festival with a special edition featuring distinct programs in person and online.
Animation First is the only festival in the US dedicated to showcasing the enduring legacy and trailblazing innovation of French animation. Learn more about it here here.
This year, the festival presents 51 premieres of feature-length and short films, Works in Progress of highly anticipated films, a 2nd Annual Student Short Film Competition, and more. Guest of Honor Florence Miailhe will open the festival with her award-winning first feature The Crossing. A special talk on the influence of Disney in French Animation and the 30th anniversary screening of Beauty and the Beast is presented in partnership with The Met Museum.
View program below.
IN PERSON: Feature Films
The Crossing
On Eventive
In Person: Fri, Feb 11 at 7pm
FIAF Florence Gould Hall
Introduction by Florence Miailhe
Dir. Florence Miailhe, 2021
In French with English subtitles
On a migratory road, two older children, Kyona and Adriel, are quickly separated from their parents and siblings. Together they embark on a heroic journey which takes them from childhood to adolescence through a continent torn apart by war and persecution.
Princess Dragon
On Eventive
In Person: Sat, Feb 12 at 11am
FIAF Florence Gould Hall
Introduction by producer Patricia Robert and Matthieu Levisse, Director of Marketing at Ankama
Dir. Anthony Roux and Jean-Jacques Denis, 2021
In French with English subtitles
Bristle is a little girl raised by dragons. She breathes fire and is as strong as ten men, yet she is not actually a dragon. When her father must repay a debt to Sorcerog, Bristle is given away to the froggy witch.
My Sunny Maad
8pm
Video introduction and online Q&A by director Michaela Pavlátová
Dir. Michaela Pavlátová, 2021
In Czech and Dari with English subtitles
Golden Globes Awards 2022 – Nominated for Best Motion Picture – Animated
Set in 2011 post-Taliban Kabul, with gorgeous 2D animation, great texture and depth, Michaela Pavlátová’s first film offers a penetrating observation of a woman who wants to save her relationship while challenging oppressive rules and traditions.
My Neighbors’ Neighbors
10:15pm
Video introduction by director Léo Marchand
Dir. Léo Marchand, Annelaure Daffis, 2021
In French with English subtitles
In a French apartment building, the inhabitants seem to be dealing with the strangest hazards of life: an ogre breaks his teeth on the day of the annual Ogre Feast; a magician cuts his assistant in half and her legs run off…
Little Vampire
10:30am
Dir. Joann Sfar, 2020
In English
Little Vampire has been 10-years-old for the last 300 years. Despite living in a haunted house with a merry group of monsters, he is bored to death. With great generosity, tenderness and humor, Joan Sfar (The Rabbi’s Cat) brings to life the beloved Little Vampire, star of his eponymous graphic novel.
Beauty and the Beast
3pm
Dir. Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise, 1991
In English
An arrogant young prince and his castle’s servants fall under the spell of a wicked enchantress, who turns him into a hideous Beast until he learns to love and be loved in return. FIAF is proud to bring The Beauty and the Beast back to the big screen!
Archipelago
5:15pm
Video introduction by filmmaker Félix Dufour-Laperrière
Q&A with Félix Dufour-Laperrière available online on Eventive
Closing Night Celebration at 6pm
Dir. Félix Dufour-Laperrière, 2021
In French with English subtitles
Félix Dufour-Laperrière’s Archipelago offers a contemplative and poetic travelogue along the St. Lawrence River. It expands into a semi-fictional odyssey through the filmmaker’s native province: Quebec.
The Summit of the Gods
7:30pm
Closing Night Celebration at 6pm
Video introduction by filmmaker Patrick Imbert
Dir. Patrick Imbert, 2021
In French with English subtitles
The story initially unfolds as a mystery: were George Mallory and his companion Andrew Irvine the first men to scale Everest on June 8, 1924? In Kathmandu, 70 years later, a young Japanese reporter named Fukamachi goes on a journey that leads him, step by step, towards the summit of the gods. Spectacular and emotional, this film is “an ode to extreme climbers” (IGN).
IN PERSON: Shorts & TV Specials/Series
Best of Annecy 2021
9:15pm
Opening Night Reception at 8:30pm
The Annecy International Animation Film Festival is the biggest animated film festival in the world. Straight from the 2021 edition and curated by the festival team, this program includes a series of notable award-winning shorts.
Mum is Pouring Rain
Mussels & Fries
Moules-Frites
1:45pm
Mum is Pouring Rain, dir. Hugo De Faucompret
8-years-old Jane is a strong-minded girl. Her mother Cécile, however, is going through a little depression. She decides to get help, and sends Jane to spend Christmas with her grandmother, in the countryside.
Mussels & Fries, dir. Nicolas Hu
Noée, a 9-year-old girl, joins her mother on an island in Brittany. Soon she discovers that all the children on the island know each other well and love sailing. How will Noée manage to sail and fit in?
Spotlight on Florence Miailhe
3:30pm
Introduction by Florence Miailhe
Over the course of her three-decade career in animation, Florence Miailhe has created a precious body of award-winning short films. Her richly picturesque films often explore subjects like femininity, the human body, and desire.
New French Shorts: Program 1
5:45pm
Straight from France, these two eclectic programs bring together films from established filmmakers as well as emerging talent. Each one opens up a unique world and speaks to the rich diversity of animation in France today.
New French Shorts: Program 2
12:45pm
Straight from France, these two eclectic programs bring together films from established filmmakers as well as emerging talent. Each one opens up a unique world and speaks to the rich diversity of animation in France today.
Focus on Jean-Charles Mbotti Malolo
2:45pm
Screening & Talk with Jean-Charles Mbotti Malolo
Emerging filmmaker Jean-Charles Mbotti Malolo presents several short films, along with a few episodes of his new series Ex-Aequo!. Weaving his passion for dance and sports, Mbotti Malolo’s films offer powerful, sensitive and insightful portraits and stories.
IN PERSON: Works in Progress / Talks
Lastman (Season 2)
11am
US Premiere of Episode 1 and Conversation with director Jérémie Hoarau
Director Jérémie Hoarau will discuss the process behind this new season and the important changes he introduced. He will be joined, remotely from France, by several of the series writers. The event will include the US premiere of the first full episode.
No Dogs or Italians Allowed
1:30pm
Conversation with director Alain Ughetto
In this Work in Progress, Alain Ughetto will discuss his journey in crafting this very personal film based on the story of his own family who left their homeland in Piedmont, Italy to settle in France at the turn of the 20th century.
Little Nicholas
3:30pm
Conversation with co-directors Benjamin Massoubre in person and Amandine Fredon live and online
Director Benjamin Massoubre presents the creative process behind the forthcoming feature Little Nicholas, based on the eponymous book series about a little boy. He will be joined, live from France, by co-director Amandine Fredon.
The Inventor
1pm
Conversation with executive producer Ilan Urroz and director Jim Capobianco live and online
In this Work in Progress, Ilan Urroz, executive producer, will be on hand to discuss this much anticipated film with clips and images. He will be joined online by filmmaker Jim Capobianco who will address the creative choices he made with Granjon for their stop-motion and 2-D drawn adventure film and how they work as a team from LA and the South of France.
Conversation with Florence Miailhe
On Eventive
In Person: Sat, Feb 12 at 5:30pm
FIAF Skyroom
Moderated by Signe Baumane
Author of many short films and a recent award-winning first feature, The Crossing, Florence Miailhe, Animation First 2022’s guest of honor, discusses the inspiration behind her carefully crafted and deeply poetic films.
The Influence of Disney in French Animation
On Eventive
In Person: Sun, Feb 13 at 5pm
FIAF Skyroom
Animation experts will discuss the influence films created by The Walt Disney Company have had on French animation, and the fascinating history between the two countries’ industries as far back as the mid 20th century.
FIAF GALLERY
Augmented Reality
This exhibition brings together the best augmented reality works created in 2019 and 2020 by fourth-year students at EMCA, on of the top animation schools in France. Each three-panel comic strip contains a hidden scenario, an animation with music, which is revealed with your smartphone and the Artivive app.
ONLINE: Feature Films
An American Tail
Dir. Don Bluth, 1986
In English
Directed by widely acclaimed animation veteran Don Bluth (The Secret of NIMH, The Land Before Time), and a huge success upon its release, An American Tail is an exquisitely animated film and a sweet, melancholy story of immigration.
The Bears’ Famous Invasion of Sicily
Dir. Lorenzo Mattotti, 2019
In French with English subtitles
Inspired by the 1945 classic Italian children’s book by Dino Buzzati, acclaimed Italian illustrator Lorenzo Mattotti brings bold colors and a graphic eye to his first feature film, a tale about friendship, tolerance, and nature.
The Tower
Dir. Mats Grorud, 2017
In Arabic and French with English subtitles
Wardi, an eleven-year-old Palestinian girl, lives with her whole family in a refugee camp in Lebanon. There, she learns about her family’s history through stories told by three generations of refugees.
The Crossing
On Eventive
In Person: Fri, Feb 11 at 7pm
FIAF Florence Gould Hall
Introduction by Florence Miailhe
Dir. Florence Miailhe, 2021
In French with English subtitles
On a migratory road, two older children, Kyona and Adriel, are quickly separated from their parents and siblings. Together they embark on a heroic journey which takes them from childhood to adolescence through a continent torn apart by war and persecution.
Princess Dragon
On Eventive
In Person: Sat, Feb 12 at 11am
FIAF Florence Gould Hall
Introduction by producer Patricia Robert and Matthieu Levisse, Director of Marketing at Ankama
Dir. Anthony Roux and Jean-Jacques Denis, 2021
In French with English subtitles
Bristle is a little girl raised by dragons. She breathes fire and is as strong as ten men, yet she is not actually a dragon. When her father must repay a debt to Sorcerog, Bristle is given away to the froggy witch.
ONLINE: TV Specials/Series
Ex-Aequo!
Dir. Karine Chaunac, Jean-Charles Mbotti Malolo & Camille Duvelleroy, 2021
In English and French, Spanish, Portuguese, Flemish with English subtitles
Set over 10 minutes each and based on interviews with international athletes and sports professionals, Ex-Aequo! poignantly brings to life stories of discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation and disability.
Liberated!
Down with sexual diktats! Writers and broadcasters Ovidie and Sophie-Marie Larrouy examine prejudice and taboos around sex and encourage women to have it when they want, how they want, and most of all, if they want.
The Mysteries of Paris
One of France’s first serial novels, The Mysteries of Paris was originally published in 90 parts between 1842 and 1843 in the newspaper Journal des Débats. Keeping the serial format, this modern animated spin rejuvenates the story with the digitalization of the original engravings.
ONLINE: Shorts
Best of Annecy 2021: Spotlight on Women Directors
This year, in collaboration with Women in Animation, the International Animation Film Festival’s team curated a selection of shorts by women directors with films shown at the 2021 festival.
New French Shorts: Program 1
5:45pm
Straight from France, these two eclectic programs bring together films from established filmmakers as well as emerging talent. Each one opens up a unique world and speaks to the rich diversity of animation in France today.
New French Shorts: Program 2
12:45pm
Straight from France, these two eclectic programs bring together films from established filmmakers as well as emerging talent. Each one opens up a unique world and speaks to the rich diversity of animation in France today.
US & French Student Short Film Competition
The Animation First Student Shorts Competition is back for its second edition! It features the work of emerging talent from some of the most renowned animation schools in France and the United States. The jury will award prizes to the Best French Film and Best American Film.
Fontevraud Presents
The program brings together shorts directed by a new generation of animators from all over the world, hosted by Fontevraud, one of the most exciting incubators for animated film.
Fresh Out of School — Andrée Chedid Collection
Fresh Out of School — Andrée Chedid is a collection of 13 animated short films showcasing the beloved French poet’s work. These animated poems were created by 13 young directors who have just graduated from the best animation schools.
Pictanovo Presents
Pictanovo – images en Hauts-de-France is dedicated to supporting audiovisual and film production in the Hauts-de-France region. This program gathers some of the best animated shorts they have supported over the last decade.
Wonderful Wacky Wolves
Wolves stories for the little ones
A seriously vain wolf, a wolf cub who wants to try hunting on his own, and a little wolf who loves the company of others… Wonderful Wacky Wolves revisits the storybook image of these sometimes misunderstood animals with delightful humor and poetry.
ONLINE: LIVE Events
Augmented Reality in Social Media & Metaverse
6pm ET
Learn to turn still images into moving pictures using a smartphone and Snapchat in this Augmented Reality talk and workshop with New York Tech professor Kevin Park and his graduate assistants.
Animation First Awards Ceremony
2pm ET
Winners announced for US & French Student Short Film competition and audience award for Best New French Short.
Women in Animation
3pm ET
Co-presented with Women in Animation. The discussion will bring together women in their mid-career who work in different positions in the animation pipeline in France and the US.
ONLINE: Talks & Works in Progress
Uncanny Stories
A Conversation with the Writers
Uncanny Stories is a horror anthology conceived and created by artists passionate about the genre. For this exclusive prerecorded Work in Progress, all the writers gathered together to discuss the creation of the series and the artistic choices they made to adapt the classic horror stories.
Conversation with Florence Miailhe
On Eventive
In Person: Sat, Feb 12 at 5:30pm
FIAF Skyroom
Moderated by Signe Baumane
Author of many short films and a recent award-winning first feature, The Crossing, Florence Miailhe, Animation First 2022’s guest of honor, discusses the inspiration behind her carefully crafted and deeply poetic films.
The Influence of Disney in French Animation
On Eventive
In Person: Sun, Feb 13 at 5pm
FIAF Skyroom
Animation experts will discuss the influence films created by The Walt Disney Company have had on French animation, and the fascinating history between the two countries’ industries as far back as the mid 20th century.
Building Leonardo da Vinci’s Inventions
Over 500 years after Leonardo da Vinci invented them, the machines designed by the genius in the 1480s are finally becoming a reality. These video excerpts offer an exclusive look at the 3D models and virtual 3D experiences set within the gardens of Château du Clos Lucé in the Loire Valley in France.
Festival Lead Sponsors
The Florence Gould Foundation, The Kleinschmidt Family Foundation, Pictanovo - images en Hauts-de-France, and Pôle Image Magelis (Angoulême)
Festival Supporting Sponsors
Cultural Services of the French Embassy in the United States, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, New York State Council on the Arts, Québec Government Office in New York, Sofitel New York, TitraFilm, TV5Monde, and UniFrance