Previews Of Pixar’s ‘Gatto,’ Netflix’s ‘Ray Gunn,’ DreamWorks’ ‘Forgotten Island’ Headline Annecy’s Special Events Lineup

Annecy has revealed its 2026 non-competition programming, and this year’s edition leans heavily into the event’s dual identity as both a bastion of independent, boundary-pushing animation and a hub for mainstream animation culture, driving TV and box office business, where an aspiring animation student could share the shade of the same tree as an Oscar-winning filmmaker or Hollywood head of studio.

While the competition sections remain the festival’s artistic backbone, the out-of-competition slate offers a wide-angle view of where the medium is headed and where it’s been, particularly in commercial terms. Across special events, studio showcases, previews, and honorary tributes, artistic director Marcel Jean and his team have assembled a program that reflects both continuity and change in the animation landscape.

As Jean put it in a recent conversation with Cartoon Brew, the goal is to maintain a balance between “the authors, the artists, and the industry,” while also expanding how audiences engage with animation beyond the screening room.

Here’s our non-exhaustive look at this year’s non-competition programming.

Special Events

Annecy’s Special Events section continues to function as a high-profile stage for major studios and influential creators, with a mix of sneak previews, masterclasses, and behind-the-scenes presentations.

Aardman returns with a presentation covering both its legacy and upcoming work, while Laika will offer an early look at Wildwood alongside director Travis Knight. Netflix is also making a strong showing, with a showcase that includes a preview of its upcoming Ghostbusters series and a rare onstage conversation with Brad Bird about his long-gestating feature Ray Gunn.

Ricky Gervais will host a masterclass centered on his upcoming animated series, Alley Cats, continuing Annecy’s recent embrace of adult animation voices crossing over from live-action comedy. This feels almost like a sequel to Genndy Tartakovsky’s triumphant 2025 screening of Fixed.

Mike Judge, who will receive an Honorary Cristal this year, will also present a masterclass and preview material from the next season of King of the Hill. For Jean, Judge’s presence carries particular weight.

“He has taken social satire to new heights,” Jean said, emphasizing the importance of adult animation as one of the few remaining spaces for sharp cultural commentary in the U.S.

Honorary Cristals Celebrate Legacy and Influence

The 2026 Honorary Cristals will be awarded to Mike Judge and the Brothers Quay, representing two very different but equally important animation legacies.

Judge’s recognition speaks to the enduring relevance of American adult animation, particularly its role in satire and cultural critique. “His influence on two generations of creators is undeniable,” Jean said.

The Brothers Quay, meanwhile, embody Annecy’s commitment to preserving its roots in experimental and auteur-driven animation. Their work in stop-motion has influenced not only animators but also live-action filmmakers, and their presence at Annecy serves as a reminder of the festival’s short film origins.

“For Annecy, honoring the Brothers Quay is a way of preserving the balance between the major studios and independent filmmakers,” Jean explained.

Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar

Major U.S. studios will once again use Annecy as a platform to debut new material and connect with global audiences. Several have not yet outlined their plans for the festival, but Disney has unveiled major plans going into this year’s event.

The Walt Disney Animation Studios showcase will center on Hexed, an upcoming original feature described as a magical coming-of-age story. Filmmakers will present new footage and discuss the project’s development, continuing Disney’s tradition of using Annecy to highlight its creative pipeline.

Pixar’s presentation will look further ahead, offering a behind-the-scenes preview of Gatto, directed by Enrico Casarosa and first announced during last year’s Annecy. The session will also include a first look at an upcoming short film, reinforcing Pixar’s ongoing investment in both feature storytelling and short-form experimentation.

Spotlight on New Features: Forgotten Island and Rogue Trooper

Among the most anticipated previews are Forgotten Island and Rogue Trooper, two projects that reflect the breadth and ambition of contemporary animation, both on the studio level and in a more independent sense.

DreamWorks Animation’s Forgotten Island, directed by Joel Crawford and Januel P. Mercado, draws on Filipino mythology and emphasizes themes of memory and friendship. The presentation will dive into both the artistic and technical processes behind the film, with a particular focus on the large international team that brought it to life.

Rogue Trooper, directed by Duncan Jones, represents a different tonal register entirely. Based on the cult British comic, the film blends science fiction, dark humor, and stylized violence. Jones will also participate in a making-of session, offering insight into a project that has been in development for several years.

Jean highlighted Jones’s presence as particularly meaningful, noting his stature within the science fiction genre and the festival’s interest in exploring genre filmmaking within animation.

Adult Animation

Annecy’s craft-focused programming continues with a pair of Adult Swim showcases that pull back the curtain on new projects in development. President Curtis will debut with a world premiere screening and making-of session, spotlighting the latest series from producers Dan Harmon and James Siciliano, with Keith David voicing the title role.

Also on deck is My Two Cars, offering an early look at a new animated comedy from Dan Licata and Joe Pera, continuing the festival’s embrace of creator-driven television projects that bridge indie sensibilities and studio-backed production. For example, this year, season two of Common Side Effects will get a Work in Progress session.

The Bigger Picture

Annecy’s non-competition presentations go a long way to explaining how the French festival has usurped other events to become the year’s most important commercial animation meetup. While the festival’s official lineups remain largely dedicated to international and indie work, Annecy shares its non-competitive spotlight with the biggest creators, studios, and upcoming titles from the world of animation.

Jean suggested that this diversity is not accidental, but the result of deliberate curation.

“We have a real good balance between the authors, the artists, and the industry,” he said, emphasizing the importance of maintaining that equilibrium as animation evolves.

With its 2026 edition, Annecy once again positions itself not just as a festival, but as a snapshot of animation’s present and a preview of its future. This is, of course, only an early look at some of what Annecy will offer in 2026, and we’ll be sure to update you as more events fill the fest’s always busy calendar.