Opening Night Shorts
Best of Annecy 2021

Opening Night Reception at 8:30pm

In Person: Friday, February 11, 2022
9:15pm
FIAF Florence Gould Hall



The Annecy International Animation Film Festival is the biggest animated film festival in the world. Every year it brings animation lovers from around the globe to discover the latest animated gems, current and future trends, and meet filmmakers and creators.

Straight from the 2021 edition and curated by the festival team, this program includes a series of notable award-winning shorts such as Ecorce (Short Film Crystal at 2021 Annecy Film Festival) and Easter Eggs (2022 César short list). Films are bookended by two tailor-made sequences created by second-year students from Gobelins, l’École de l’Image (Paris).

8 shorts, 74 min

Collection Capsule

US Premiere
Dir. Matis Chéné, Yuha Cho, Lou Dhelens, Angèle Legras, Delaly Guy Corneille Tchocodo, Niels Turelier, France, 2021, 1 min, color
Without dialogue or commentary

In the future, follow the preparations for a fashion show: new materials, new technologies, new possibilities.

Boxballet

NY Premiere
Dir. Anton Dyakov, France, Russia, 2020, 23 min, color
Without dialogue or commentary

Academy Awards 2022 – Nominated for Best Animated Short Film

One day, a delicate ballerina named Olya meets the rough, surly boxer Evgeny. The contrast between their worlds is so sharp that even the possibility of these two characters crossing paths seems incredible.

Hold Me Tight

NY Premiere
Dir. Mélanie Robert-Tourneur, France, Belgium, 2021, 6 min, color
Without dialogue or commentary

Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2021 – “Jean-Luc Xiberras” Award for a First Film

In the heart of a dark forest, two silhouettes meet, drawing each other together and pushing each other apart in an explosive nuptial parade and bittersweet romance.

Easter Eggs

NY Premiere
Dir. Nicolas Keppens, Belgium, France, Netherlands, 2021, 14 min, color
In Dutch with English subtitles

Nominated for Best Animated Short Subject – Annie Awards 2022
Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2021 – Jury Award (2021)

The Chinese restaurant is empty. Mister Ping is gone. The exotic bird’s cage stands wide open. Two friends see a great opportunity to catch the birds and sell them for a great amount. But catching the birds ain’t as simple as it seems.

Affairs of the Art

NY Premiere
Dir. Joanna Quinn, UK, Canada, 2021, 16 min, color
In English

Academy Awards 2022 – Nominated for Best Animated Short Film
Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2021 – Jury Distinction “Special Distinction for Direction”

Beryl’s back in Affairs of the Art, which showcases one family’s eccentric yet endearing obsessions with everything from drawing to pet taxidermy.

Butterfly Jam (La Confiture de papillons)

US Premiere
Dir. Shih-Yen Huang, France, Taïwann, 2021, 6 min, color
In French with English subtitles

Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2021 – Jury Distinction “Outstanding Art Direction”

A young girl describes her father and his relationship with all the pets that he never really knew how to look after.

Peel (Écorce)

US Premiere
Dir. Samuel Patthey, Silvain Monney, Switzerland, 2020, 15 min, color
Without dialogue or commentary

Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2021 – Cristal for a Short Film

In a hidden place, the daily routine of a retirement home unfolds as time seems to stand still. The delicate pencil-drawn residents come to life on paper.

Le Parc

US Premiere
Dir. Adrien Dang, Clémence Collignon, Mathieu Giazzi, Céline Korno, Julien Motteau, Switzerland, 2020, 1 min, color
Without dialogue or commentary

When a park reopens, life resumes around an abandoned bench: workers sweep up dead leaves, lovers engrave their initials…

Related Event: The Crossing (La Traversée)

Friday, February 11, 2022 at 7pm
Dir. Florence Miailhe, 2021
In French with English subtitles

On a migratory road, two older children, Kyona and Adriel, are quickly separated from their parents and siblings. Together they embark on a heroic journey which takes them from childhood to adolescence through a continent torn apart by war and persecution.

Learn More