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For the first time, The Walt Disney Company is assembling its full animation arsenal for a united front at the Annecy Festival, which will take place June 8 to 14 this summer.
Industry giants from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, Marvel Animation, Lucasfilm, Disney Television Animation and 20th Television Animation will converge on the shores of Lake Annecy in the French Alps to showcase the magic, innovation and cultural legacy that define the company’s place at the head of the global animation table.
From long-awaited sequels to brand new originals, Annecy 2025 will feature the biggest showcase of upcoming Disney titles in its history, with talent-laden panels, never-before-seen footage and career-recognizing honors for some of Disney’s most revered artists.
From Walt Disney Animation Studios, “Zootopia 2” will be teased by its Oscar-winning director, Jared Bush (“Encanto,” “Moana”). Set for a theatrical release on Nov. 26, the sequel reunites fan-favorites Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde as they chase a reptilian mystery that threatens to upend Zootopia’s harmony. A special open-air screening of the original Zootopia on June 14 will surely have attendees ready to hear the latest updates on the hugely anticipated sequel.
Pixar’s Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter will lead a can’t-miss presentation featuring the studio’s future slate. Headlining the showcase is “Elio,” the 2025 summer tentpole directed by Domee Shi (“Turning Red”) and Madeline Sharafian (“Burrow”), with producer Mary Alice Drumm (“Coco”). The film follows a young dreamer mistaken for Earth’s ambassador to a cosmic council, blending humor, heart and sci-fi spectacle.
Docter will also preview “Hoppers” (2026), a touching tale of a girl who brings robotic animals to life, and offer a sneak peek at “Toy Story 5.” To honor the 30th anniversary of “Toy Story,” never-before-seen footage from the film’s early days will be unveiled, providing a rare glimpse into one of the most influential and transformative films in animation history.
‘Hoppers’
Credit: Disney/Pixar
Docter will also be inducted into the Annecy Walk of Fame alongside Disney legend Ron Clements, one of the leading forces behind Disney’s 1990s Renaissance and the director of modern classics including “The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin” and “Moana.”
Marvel Animation moves into Annecy with the premiere episode of “Eyes of Wakanda,” an action-adventure series following Wakandan warriors across time. Director and EP Todd Harris will unpack the series’ making ahead of its Disney+ premiere on Aug. 6.
‘Eyes of Wakanda’
Marvel
Lucasfilm takes a darker turn with “Black,” a new short for “Star Wars: Visions Vol. 3,” written and directed by anime auteur Shinya Ohira. The short plunges viewers into a hypnotic, psychological clash between light and dark. The studio will also screen “Devotion,” from “Tales of the Empire,” created by “The Mandalorian’s” Dave Filoni, which explores the path of former Jedi Barriss Offee under the Empire’s shadow.
Matt Groening, the legendary creator of “The Simpsons” and “Futurama,” will receive Annecy’s Honorary Cristal, joining producers Matt Selman and David Silverman for panels, signings and a behind-the-scenes celebration of the world’s longest-running animated series. Silverman will also host a live drawing session at Mifa Campus.
Disney Television Animation always has plenty to share at Annecy, and this year will be no different. The unit will tease “Dragon Striker,” a magical sports-themed series with anime flair. Attendees will hear from the creative team at Chouette Studios. Meanwhile, fan-favorite buddy comedy “Kiff” competes in the festival’s TV Films category.
