Annecy to Inaugurate the Cité Internationale du Cinéma d’Animation on June 19, 2026

CITIA and its public partners officially presented the Cité internationale du cinéma d’animation today at the French National Centre of Cinema (CNC). Scheduled to open its doors on June 19, 2026, the Cité solidifies Annecy’s reputation as the world capital of animation, transitioning from a seasonal festival destination to a year-round cultural and economic epicenter for the industry.

A Legacy Sixty Years in the Making
The project is the culmination of government policies dating back to the inception of the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in 1960. Spearheaded by the City of Annecy, the Département de la Haute-Savoie, the Région Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, and the French State, the Cité represents a renewed ambition to promote French animation excellence.

"We are opening a Cité because animation is not a minority form of cinema, but an art form in its own right—a universal language," stated Dominique Puthod, CITIA Chairman.

A Hub for Discovery and Education
Housed in the ambitiously restored buildings of the Haras d'Annecy, designed by Devaux & Devaux architectes, the Cité will feature:

An Animation Museum featuring the "Musée de France" certified collection.

A 332-seat cinema owned by the Département de la Haute-Savoie.

The "Grenier à images", a dedicated space for schoolchildren and workshops focused on moving image education.

Temporary exhibition galleries and an artist residency.

Inaugural Exhibitions: Ankama and LAIKA
The Cité will debut with two major international showcases:

"Ankama: From Sketch to Saga, 25 Years of Creativity": Running from June 19, 2026, to January 31, 2027, this immersive exhibition explores the "Krosmoz" universe, celebrating the convergence of gaming, animation, and comics.

"Wildwood: A First Glimpse into a Handmade World": Opening June 21, 2026, in collaboration with LAIKA Studios, this exhibition offers an exclusive look at the artistry behind the studio’s upcoming stop-motion feature. CEO Travis Knight will make his first-ever appearance at the Annecy Festival to mark the occasion.

Strategic Global Partnerships
The project has garnered significant private support. LAIKA Studios joins as a Major Partner, while Ankama and the Banque Populaire Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Foundation are among the inaugural patrons. Other industry giants, such as Sony Pictures Animation, have also pledged their involvement from the launch.

Gaëtan Bruel, President of the CNC, highlighted the site's importance: 'The ambition is to make Annecy and its region the year-round global capital of animation film... providing a cultural programme for audiences of all ages'.

The Cité’s visual identity has been crafted by artist Laurent Durieux, whose original poster depicts the Cité in "perpetual motion," symbolizing its global outlook and deep roots in the Annecy territory.

 

LC