Annecy 2026: “The Violinist” crowned, “The Corset” shines with three awards

The Annecy International Animation Film Festival unveiled its winners at the close of its 50th edition. The Cristal Award for Best Feature Film, the festival's most prestigious prize, was awarded to The Violinist, while Franco-Belgian production The Corset distinguished itself with three trophies, confirming its excellent reception after its appearance at the Cannes Film Festival.

Two poignant films captivated the jury and the public

Directed by Ervin Han and Raúl Garcia, The Violinist Set in 1930s Singapore, this film tells the story of two childhood friends with a passion for music, whose lives are ultimately torn apart by World War II. This historical and musical epic, a co-production between Singapore, Spain, and Italy, won the Cristal Award for Best Feature Film.

For its part, The Corset Louis Clichy's film won the Jury Prize, the Audience Award, and the Gan Foundation Prize for distribution. Already awarded in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival, this first feature film directed solo by the former co-director of...Asterix: The Land of the Gods It follows the journey of Christophe, an 11-year-old boy forced to wear a brace to treat scoliosis, whose life is transformed by his discovery of music. The film was produced in part by Amopix studios in Annecy and Les Astronautes in Bourg-lès-Valence.

A diverse list of winners for an anniversary edition

The Cristal Award for Best Short Film has been awarded to paper trail by American Dan Hertzfeldt. The French short God is shy, directed by Jocelyn Charles, won both the Jury Prize and the Audience Award.

Another notable distinction was the Cristal Award for commissioned film, which was given to the advertisement. The Unloved WolfCreated for Intermarché. This Christmas tale features a wolf trying to gain acceptance by cooking vegetables, set to the song The Unloved Claude François' song had met with great success when it was broadcast last winter.

This 50th edition was also marked by the opening of the International City of Animated Cinema in Annecy, a new space dedicated to the promotion and transmission of the history of animation, destined to become a reference point for professionals as well as the general public.