The Annecy International Animation Film Festival is gearing up for an exciting showcase this year, featuring a preview of Dean DeBlois’ highly anticipated live-action reimagining of How to Train Your Dragon. The original 2010 How to Train Your Dragon film, produced by DreamWorks Animation and based on Cressida Cowell’s beloved book series, was co-written and directed by DeBlois and Chris Sanders. DeBlois then continued to write and direct the subsequent two films to complete the iconic trilogy. This new movie will premiere at Annecy on June 11, just days before its U.S. theatrical release on June 13.
The festival’s lineup also includes major presentations from Paramount and Nickelodeon Animation, spotlighting forthcoming Smurfs and The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants. Directed by Chris Miller (Puss in Boots) and Derek Drymon respectively, these films promise to captivate audiences with their vibrant animation and engaging storytelling. Adding to the excitement are two animated shorts: SpongeBob: Order Up, directed by Sean Charmatz, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Chrome Alone 2 – Lost in New Jersey, helmed by Kent Seki, both featured in the June 10 session.
Another standout is the much-anticipated 3D animated film High in the Cloud, directed by Toby Genkel and featuring an all-star voice cast including Celine Dion, Idris Elba, and Lionel Richie. Produced by Gaumont, this film represents a significant addition to the contemporary film industry landscape. Terry Kalagian, Gaumont’s president of global animation and family, along with project supervisor Christian De Vita, will attend Annecy to present the film.
Rounding out the program is the original animated adventure Predator: Killer of Killers, set in the Predators universe and penned by Dan Trachtenberg. Co-directed by Josh Wassung, this film will debut on Hulu on June 6, offering a fresh narrative in the popular franchise.
