Singaporean animated feature The Violinist took the top prize at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, which wrapped on June 27. The film also marked a first for its territory in the main competition in 15 years. Colombia was named the 2027 Country of Honor.
The 50th edition of the festival ran from June 21 to 27 in France and drew a record 19,100 accredited attendees. The Violinist, directed by Ervin Han and Raúl García, follows two young violinists whose dreams are shattered by the Japanese invasion of Malaysia in 1941. It is a co-production between Singapore’s Robot Playground Media, Spain’s TV ON Producciones and Italy’s Altri Occhi.
Louis Clichy’s Iron Boy won the Jury Award, Audience Award and Gan Foundation Award for Distribution. The story centers on an 11-year-old boy in rural France who must wear an iron corset to correct a spinal condition.
Don Hertzfeldt’s short Paper Trail received the Cristal for a Short Film. Colombia was announced as the 2027 Country of Honor during the closing ceremony, joining previous honorees including Japan, Canada and Brazil.
