Running October 17-19 at the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres in Hollywood, the festival’s 8th annual edition continued its mission to champion animation as a cinematic art form, curating critically acclaimed international features and shorts that carry both recognition and impact.
Animation Is Film (AIF) has just today announced the winners of its 8th annual festival, with , directed by Maïlys Vallade and Liane-Cho Han, taking home the Grand Jury Prize.The Features Jury said, “Showing us the world from the perspective of a toddler, portrays the wonders and pains of being alive like poignant revelations.
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.” , directed by Ugo Bienvenu, was awarded the Audience Award.The festival noted, “This imaginative, inventive and tender time-travel adventure, which weaves together themes of friendship, collective memory, and the forces of a shifting planet, resonated strongly with the AIF audience.” The Fumi Kitahara Special Jury Prize was awarded to . During Opening Night of the festival, AIF Director Matt Kaszanek announced the prize’s renaming in memory of beloved publicist Fumi Kitahara, who passed away in February.
“Fumi devoted her professional career to championing animators and was one of the earliest and most vocal supporters of Animation Is Film and its mission,” the director said.“While there is a tremendous sadness at her not being at AIF this year, we take comfort in knowing that we’re about to spend the weekend doing what she would've wanted for us — coming together as a community in celebration of great animation.” The Jury praised , stating, “Set in a dystopian reality where authoritarian forces control every aspect of the individual’s life, cleverly explores how we adapt and push back against accepted normalcy.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.” The Shorts Jury Grand Prize went to Cynthia Calvi’s , described by jurors as “a deeply intimate, conversational chronicle of the title character's gender transition.
'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 in Shorts was awarded to Giovanna Ferrari’s .The Jury noted, “With visually stunning use of light and color, this rousing adventure set in ancient Ireland unfolds as a tale of mortal courage and divine reckoning, elevated by its breathtaking technical execution.” Since its inception, the festival has stayed true to its mission to champion animation as a cinematic art form, curating critically acclaimed international features and shorts that carry both recognition and impact.
This year’s program presented new animated works from Asia, Europe, South America, North America, and Australia.“Animation Is Film offers its sincerest congratulations to all of the filmmakers who participated in this most recent edition,” Kaszanek shared.“The 2025 Festival experienced record-shattering numbers in terms of attendance.
This doesn’t happen in a vacuum.Thank you to the filmmakers, the audiences, the festival sponsors and community partners for celebrating the art of animation.We'll see you again next year!” The 2025 feature competition lineup included ,,,,,, ,, and .
The 2025 Features Jury comprised: Carlos Aguilar – Member, Los Angeles Film Critics Association (LAFCA) and National Society of Film Critics (NSFC) Jemaine Clement – Actor, Writer, Musician, Producer; Creator/Co-Director of Torill Kove – Director, Academy Award winner for and nominee for and The 2025 Shorts Jury comprised: Hsiang Chin Moe – Inaugural Chair, BFA Animation Program at School of Visual Arts; Chair for Education, Women in Animation Jamie Lang – Editor-in-Chief, Cartoon Brew Matt Braly – Creator of the Emmy-nominated ; Annie Award–winning director, Over the three-day event, Animation is Film hosted numerous sold-out screenings and programs, including the Opening Night West Coast Premiere of , from director Mamoru Hosoda (), produced by Studio Chizu, and distributed in the US by Sony Pictures Classics. The Festival also featured filmmaker panels devoted to recent and upcoming studio releases, including Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation’s - with directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans - and Walt Disney Animation’s , featuring producer Yvett Merino and Head of Story Carrie Liao.The Festival marked the 13th anniversary of with the world premiere of both its newly remastered 3D print and new short which stars Anna Kendrick and Finn Wolfhard, introduced by writer-director Chris Butler and Kendrick.The Festival also hosted the West Coast Premiere of Chainsaw Man: The Movie – Reze Arc from Sony Pictures Entertainment.
The full 2025 film lineup is available at AnimationIsFilm.com.Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
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