‘Little Amélie,’ ‘GiGi’ Win Top Prizes At Animation Is Film

The Animation Is Film Festival (AIF) wrapped its 8th edition at the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres after a weekend of sold-out screenings, star-studded premieres, and a powerful slate of international animation titles.

Taking home this year’s Grand Jury Prize was Little Amélie or The Character of Rain, directed by Maïlys Vallade and Liane-Cho Han, a poetic French-Japanese co-production that captivated jurors and audiences alike.

“Showing us the world from the perspective of a toddler, Little Amélie or The Character of Rain portrays the wonders and pains of being alive like poignant revelations,” said the features jury. “As it finds whimsy in the everyday through its dazzling style, the film also grapples with the complexity of two cultures clashing, connecting, and simultaneously shaping the young protagonist’s nascent identity.”

This year’s feature jury included regular Cartoon Brew contributor and leading film critic Carlos Aguilar; filmmaker, actor, and musician Jemaine Clement (Flight of the Conchords, What We Do in the Shadows); and Oscar-winning animation filmmaker Torill Kove (The Danish Poet).

The festival also paid tribute to beloved publicist Fumi Kitahara (one of the most gracious, kind, and caring people we’ve ever had the privilege of working with), renaming its special jury prize in her honor. The inaugural Fumi Kitahara Special Jury Prize went to Decorado by Spanish director Alberto Vázquez (Unicorn Wars), a darkly comic dystopian parable that drew praise for its audacious tone and visual invention.

“Set in a dystopian reality where authoritarian forces control every aspect of the individual’s life, Decorado cleverly explores how we adapt and push back against accepted normalcy,” said the Jury. “Though it unflinchingly tackles timely and mature sociopolitical themes, it does so through satirical humor and fantastical characters — including the protagonist couple, Arnold and Maria — making it a wholly unexpected experience.”

This year’s Audience Award went to Annecy Cristal winner Arco, directed by Ugo Bienvenu, an imaginative time-travel adventure that resonated deeply with festivalgoers.

In the short film competition, Gigi by Cynthia Calvi took home the Grand Jury Prize – Shorts for its intimate, deeply emotional storytelling.

Jurors described it as “a deeply intimate, conversational chronicle of the title character’s gender transition. Gigi’s strong visual metaphors ably enrich a story of inherent personal authenticity. It is a film that works on every level.”

The Special Jury Prize – Shorts was awarded to Giovanni Ferrari’s Éiru, a mythic tale of courage set in ancient Ireland.

“With visually stunning use of light and color, this rousing adventure unfolds as a tale of mortal courage and divine reckoning, elevated by its breathtaking technical execution,” said the shorts jury, comprised of Women in Animation chair for education Hsiang Chin Moe, Annie-winning animator Mat Braly (Gravity Falls), and Cartoon Brew editor-in-chief Jamie Lang.

Festival Director Matt Kaszanek noted that the 2025 edition saw record-breaking attendance, underscoring AIF’s growing influence as a global showcase for animation as cinema. “This doesn’t happen in a vacuum,” he said. “Thank you to the filmmakers, the audiences, and our partners for celebrating the art of animation. We’ll see you again next year.”

The festival featured a robust lineup including All You Need Is Kill, Chao, I Am Frankelda, Lesbian Space Princess, Nobody, Scarlet, and A Story About Fire, alongside studio previews from Disney, Netflix, and Laika.

Highlights included the Opening Night screening of Scarlet by Mamoru Hosoda, the world premiere of Laika’s new short Paranorman: The Thrifting, and the West Coast premiere of Chainsaw Man: The Movie — Reze Arc.

2025 ANIMATION IS FILM WINNERS

• Grand Jury Prize: Little Amélie or The Character of Rain, Maïlys Vallade and Liane-Cho Han
• Audience Award: Arco, Ugo Bienvenu
• Fumi Kitahara Special Jury Prize: Decorado, Alberto Vázquez
• Grand Jury Prize – Shorts: Gigi, Cynthia Calvi
• Special Jury Prize – Shorts: Éiru, Giovanni Ferrari