‘Arco’ Wins Best Feature At The European Film Awards

Ugo Bienvenu’s French animated sci-fi feature, Arco, won the best animated feature prize at the 38th European Film Awards over the weekend, adding another major accolade to what has become one of the most successful animated film runs of the past year.

The film emerged victorious from a strong slate of nominees that included Dog of God, Little Amélie or the Character of Rain, Olivia and the Invisible Earthquake, and Tales from the Magic Garden. The award further cements Arco’s status as a breakout title within the European animation landscape and a candidate for this year’s animated feature Oscar race. Those nominees will be announced on Thursday, January 22.

Arco first made waves on the festival circuit with its world premiere as a special screening at Cannes, before heading to the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, where it won the Cristal for best feature film. Since then, Bienvenue’s debut has continued to build momentum, earning best animated feature honors from the National Board of Review, five Annie nominations, a Golden Globe nomination for animated motion picture, a Critics Choice nomination, and more.

Produced by Remembers, MountainA, and France 3 Cinéma, Arco blends science fiction and intimate character drama. The film follows a mysterious boy from a distant future who falls into the present-day world of a young girl named Iris, forging an emotional bond that explores time, loss, and human connection.

2026 European Animated Feature Film Nominees

• Arco, Ugo Bienvenu (France) – WINNER
• Dog of God (Dieva Suns), Raitis Ābele & Lauris Ābele (Latvia, United States)
• Little Amélie or the Character of Rain (Amélie et la Métaphysique des Tubes), Maïlys Vallade & Liane-Cho Han (France)
• Olivia and the Invisible Earthquake (L’Olívia i el Terratrèmol Invisible), Irene Iborra Rizo (Spain, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Chile)
• Tales From the Magic Garden (Pohadky po Babicce), David Súkup, Patrik Pašš, Leon Vidmar & Jean-Claude Rozec (Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, France)