The Annecy International Animation Film Festival began Sunday evening with the world premiere of Illumination’s Minions & Monsters. The event also featured tributes to the late Marjane Satrapi and commitments to protect culture.
The third film in the Despicable Me spin-off series screened to open the festival. It follows the Minions as they arrive in 1920s Hollywood and attempt to find a new evil boss, leading to a plot involving a monster and a love letter to early cinema. Cameos include George Lucas.
Illumination boss Christopher Meledandri and director Pierre Coffin received plaques for the festival’s Wall of Fame. Meledandri said the Hollywood setting honors cinema and the silent clowns who inspired the Minions. He added that Annecy was the ideal place for the premiere.
Annecy Mayor Antoine Armand spoke at the opening ceremony about defending culture amid global threats. He also paid tribute to Iranian-French animator Marjane Satrapi, who died June 6 at age 56, calling her a symbol of freedom.
