animation Is Film Festival Champions Animation as Art, Announces 2025 Winners
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Animation Is Film, the Los Angeles-based festival dedicated to elevating animation to its rightful place among cinematic art forms, concluded its eighth annual event this week, celebrating a diverse range of international works and reaffirming its growing influence within the industry. The festival, which ran from October 17 to 19 at the TCL Chinese Theatres, awarded its Grand Jury Prize to “Little amélie or the Character of Rain,” a French animated feature directed by Maïlys Vallade and Liane-Cho Han.
Challenging Perceptions of Animation
Founded in 2017, Animation Is Film was born from a desire to dismantle the long-held notion that animation is somehow a lesser form of cinema. As one festival leader explained to IndieWire,the festival’s vrey name embodies its core mission: “to celebrate animation,to push back on a narrative that some people have,even subconsciously,that animation is kind of for kids.”
This year’s festival showcased a particularly strong lineup of international films, with winners hailing from France, Brazil, and Italy. “Little Amélie Or the Character of Rain” captivated the jury with its poetic storytelling and unique visual style. The Audience Award went to “arco,” directed by ugo Bienvenu, demonstrating its broad appeal among festival attendees. Alberto Vázquez’s “Decorado” received the Fumi Kitahara Special Jury Prize. In the shorts category, “Gigi” by Cynthia calvi received the Shorts Jury Grand Prize, while “Éiru” by Giovanna Ferrari earned the Special Jury Prize for Shorts.
The 2025 festival opened with a screening of “Scarlet,” an anime film directed by Mamoru Hosoda, and concluded with “Little Amélie.” “Arco” served as the festival’s centerpiece selection.the program also included screenings of “Lesbian Space Princes,” “All You Need Is Kill,” “A Story About Fire,” and a remastered version of “ParaNorman.” Panels featured discussions with the creators of “KPOP Demon Hunters” and a preview of the upcoming “Zootopia 2.”
A Bellwether for Industry recognition
Animation Is Film has rapidly become a key indicator of potential Academy Award nominees. According to the festival director, “Most of the films that you’re seeing at the festival, these are the films that are getting nominated for Academy Awards.” The festival has consistently featured a meaningful number of films that go on to receive Oscar nominations, with four of last year’s best Animated Short nominees having previously screened at Animation Is Film. Over the past four years, the festival has typically showcased four to five of the films ultimately nominated for best Animated Feature.
The festival’s commitment to international representation is also a defining characteristic. As a festival representative explained, “Geographical diversity is great because we really do sell this festival as an international event, and you’re seeing films from all over the world.” The festival actively seeks out and showcases animated works from diverse cultural backgrounds, offering audiences a global perspective on the art form.
A Growing Movement
The festival’s success reflects a broader shift in critical perception of animation. The director observed that “critical respect for animation has only grown in the years since the festival started,” noting an increase in animated films being included in lineups at other major festivals. “We’re not the only people that are kind of beating that drum that animation is film, and it should be taken seriously,” they stated, adding that “the call for that is getting louder.” This growing acceptance signals a promising future for the animation industry and its continued evolution as a respected and celebrated art form.
2025 Animation Is Film Festival Winners:
- Grand Jury Prize: “Little amélie Or the Character of Rain” (dir. Makelade and Lie-Cho Han)
- Audience Award: “Arco” (dir. Ugo Bienvenu)
- fumi Kitahara Special Jury Prize: “Decorado” (dir. Alberto Vázquez)
- Grand Jury Prize – Shorts: “Gigi” (dir. Cynthia Calvi)
- Special Jury Prize – Shorts: “Éiru (dir. giovanni Ferrari)
