FIAF is thrilled to celebrate the seventh edition of its popular Animation First Festival, which has expanded this year from a three-day to a six-day festival due to increased popularity, running from Tuesday, January 23 through Sunday, January 28. Animation First is the only festival in the U.S. dedicated to showcasing the enduring legacy and trailblazing innovation of French and Francophone animation.

This year, the festival presents seven feature-length films (including three U.S. and three New York premieres), six short film programs, filmmaker talks, a first look presentation, virtual reality experiences, its annual Student Short Film Competition, and more. New for 2024 will be the premiere of an inaugural limited-edition Animation First series poster illustrated by artist Peter de Sève, an Animation Speak/Easy night, a juried competition of the new Francophone shorts programs, and a special focus on animated cinema from Quebec. With films for adults, teens, and kids, the festival is crafted to engage and entertain guests of various ages!

Schedule:

January 23, 2024:

7pm - Opening Night Feature Film: Mars Express at FIAF Florence Gould Hall:

In the year 2200, private detective Aline Ruby and her android partner Carlos Rivera are hired by a wealthy businessman to track down a notorious hacker. Combining 2D and 3D animation, this stylish, smart, and futuristic sci-fi film noir is a cinematic adventure packed with humor and exhilarating action sequences.

Opening Night Party from 9–10:30pm at FIAF Tinker Auditorium

January 24, 2024:

7pm - New Francophone Shorts 1 at FIAF Florence Gould Hall:

The eclectic New Francophone Shorts (NFS) programs bring together the best of new animated creations from emerging and established filmmakers. Selections are chosen from lauded festivals including Annecy International Animation Film Festival, Anima—The Brussels Animation Film Festival, and Les sommets du cinéma d’animation.

These films are in competition for Best Francophone Short. This year’s jury is composed of film curator Marco de Blois, filmmaker and animator Candy Kugel, and illustrator Marcos Chin. The NFS programs are co-curated by filmmaker Michael Enright and festival curators Chloé Dheu and Delphine Selles-Alvarez.

9 shorts, 77 min

Age: 15+

January 25, 2024:

7pm - Animation Speak/Easy at FIAF Tinker Auditorium:

An evening of inspiration, conversation, and drinks for movie lovers, creators, and everyone in between! Join us as early as 7pm for a drink before the event!

Established by NYC-based animation filmmakers, Animation Speak/Easy is bringing its popular interactive bimonthly event to this year’s Animation First Festival. At the gathering, three guest artists will be asked to share an animated short that inspires them, after which a lively audience discussion will ensue.

January 26, 2024:

7pm - Centerpiece Feature Film - Sirocco and the Kingdom of the Winds at FIAF Florence Gould Hall:

Two intrepid sisters, 8-year-old Carmen and 4-year-old Juliette, discover a secret passage from their world into that of their favorite book, “The Kingdom of Air Streams.” Transformed into cats and separated from each other, they summon their bravery and boldness in order to reunite. But their harrowing adventures are only beginning—they must confront the terrifying wizard Sirocco, master of winds and storms, if they want to return to the real world. He’s rumored to be a beastly fellow, but does his reputation truly represent him? This surreal, dreamlike story—helmed by French animator, screenwriter, and director Benoît Chieux—won the Audience Award at the 60th Annecy International Animation Film Festival and evokes beloved classics like “Alice in Wonderland” and “The Fantastic Planet.”

Ages: 7+

9:45pm - Best of Annecy 2023 at FIAF Florence Gould Hall:

The Annecy International Animation Film Festival is the largest of its kind in the world. Each year it gathers moviegoers from around the globe to discover new works by lauded filmmakers and creators. Straight from the 2023 edition and curated by the Annecy Festival team, this program includes a series of not-to-be-missed international award-winning shorts and custom opening sequences by Gobelins Paris students.

Recommended for Mature Audiences.

Centerpiece Film Party from 8:30—9:45pm at FIAF Tinker Auditorium

January 27, 2024:

12pm - Feature Film - Nina and the Hedgehog’s Secret at FIAF Florence Gould Hall:

10-year-old Nina has always filled her imagination with her father’s diverting hedgehog-themed stories—but reality comes crashing down when he loses his job, and Nina’s fear about her family’s future becomes all too palpable. Fueled by rumors of a treasure hidden at the factory, Nina, her best friend Mehdi, and an enterprising hedgehog that bursts from her father’s illustrations organize a risky heist, hoping to share the riches between her father and his fellow coworkers. Directed by Academy Award-nominated French filmmakers Alain Gagnol and Jean-Loup Felicioli and featuring voice work from iconic French actors Audrey Tautou and Guillaume Canet, this charming coming-of-age film is rich with imaginative naturalistic settings and enchanting animation.

Ages: 6+

2pm - Artist Talk - Peter de Seve: My Wonderful Life On The Hamster Wheel at FIAF Skyroom:

In this wonder-filled journey through the mind of a master visual storyteller, Peter de Seve will guide us through the artworks and artists that have influenced his work and spurred his creative process. This event will open a doorway into de Seve’s illustrations and animated characters—a fanciful visual universe filled with warmth, wisdom, and humanity.

Following the talk, de Seve will be available to sign copies of his recently released book Local Fauna: The Art of Peter de Seve, along with copies of the limited edition Animation First Festival poster he illustrated. Both items will also be available for sale in the Festival Lounge (Tinker Auditorium) through the weekend.

Peter de Seve:

Peter de Seve’s work spans four decades and various media, including magazines, books, television commercials, Broadway posters, and character designs. He’s best recognized for his The New Yorker Magazine covers and his character designs for the Ice Age franchise. De Seve has also contributed to such films as Finding Nemo, Robots, The Little Prince and The Grinch, to name a few. His many distinctions include the prestigious Hamilton King Award from the Society of Illustrators, an Emmy Award for best character design in a television show, and an Annie Award. His book, The Art of Peter de Seve was released in Fall 2023.

2:15pm - Feature Film - The Sacred Cave at FIAF Florence Gould Hall:

In the heart of Africa’s equatorial forest, the king of Mabunos is poisoned by one of his subjects. Two close aids of the palace are tasked with traveling to a sacred cave in search of an antidote that will cure their ruler—and they only have seven days to succeed before he perishes. Throughout their vibrantly illustrated journey, they encounter spectacles and obstacles that defy explanation. The film, from Cameroonian directors Daniel Minlo and Cyrille Masso, is steeped in legend, lore, and sprawling scenescapes, and enjoyed a well-received showing at the 2023 BFI London Film Festival.

Ages: 8+

4:30pm - National Film Board of Canada Shorts at FIAF Florence Gould Hall:

Recommended for Mature Audiences

The National Film Board of Canada (NFB) is one of the most acclaimed creative centers in the world. It is a public producer and distributor of Canadian content, a talent incubator and a showcase for the country’s filmmakers and artists. The organization produces or co-produces more than 50 works every year, from thought-provoking documentaries to outstanding animated films to groundbreaking interactive and immersive works.

Curated by Frédéric Savard, this program of shorts features a selection of eleven thought-provoking animated films from the National Film Board of Canada’s collection.

11 shorts, 68 min

4:30pm - First Look - Allah is Not Obliged at FIAF Skyroom:

Graphic designer and filmmaker Zaven Najjar presents Allah is Not Obliged (Allah n’est pas obligé), his first feature film based on the eponymous international bestseller by Ivory Coast author Ahmadou Kourouma.

In the film, Birahima, a ten-year-old Guinean orphan, tells his story (with the help of four dictionaries and a lot of irony) on how he is thrown into tribal war when he tries to join his aunt in Liberia. Yacouba, a scoundrel who accompanies him, convinces him to become a child soldier, while he establishes himself as a grigriman among the combatants. In the midst of chaos, torn between the many enemy factions, Birahima grows up fast and learns to distrust the stories he is told.

In this First Look event, Najjar, an award-winning graphic designer and artistic director of The Siren (the closing night film of this year’s festival) will detail his artistic choices and how he adapts his unique graphic style to bring to life this powerful tale in which children’s innocence and youth are compromised by war.

Produced by Special Touch Studios, Allah is Not Obliged is due to be released in 2025.

6:45pm - Feature Film - When Adam Changes at FIAF Florence Gould Hall:

Imagine if every taunt, every criticism, every unkind word spoken to you made a physical impact. That’s the driving force of When Adam Changes, a film set in 1990 Quebec that depicts the (literal) growing pains and general absurdity of adolescence. Adam is a 15-year-old with a…special…quirk: his body melds and warps in reaction to the mockery and negative comments he receives from those around him. Through this darkly comedic narrative, Canadian director Joël Vaudreuil incisively illustrates what happens when the biting and fantastical mix with trademark teenage angst. The film, animated by French artist Nicolas Moussette, was awarded the Grand Prize for Best Animated Feature at the 2023 Ottawa International Film Festival.

Recommended for Mature Audiences

9:45pm - Best of Annecy 2023 WTF at FIAF Florence Gould Hall:

Recommended for Mature Audiences

Living up to its namesake, this out-of-the-ordinary late-night program featuring the best of Annecy International Animation Film Festival’s WTF2023 films is steeped in dark humor, scares, and irreverent subject matter that will have you exclaiming “what the f*ck?” through your tears of joy and surprised shrieks. If you’re feeling adventurous, attend this lineup of 13 short films.

13 shorts, 65 min

January 28, 2024:

12pm - New Francophone Shorts 2 at FIAF Florence Gould Hall:

Recommended for Mature Audiences

The eclectic New Francophone Shorts (NFS) programs bring together the best of new animated creations from emerging and established filmmakers. Selections are chosen from lauded festivals including Annecy International Animation Film Festival, Anima—The Brussels Animation Film Festival, and Les sommets du cinema d’animation.

These films are in competition for Best Francophone Short. This year’s jury is composed of film curator Marco de Blois, filmmaker and animator Candy Kugel, and illustrator Marcos Chin. The NFS programs are co-curated by filmmaker Michael Enright and festival curators Chloe Dheu and Delphine Selles-Alvarez.

5 shorts, 70 min

1:30pm - First Look - Eugene at FIAF Skyroom:

Discover Anaïs Caura’s (The Man-Woman Case, Annecy Festival Jury Award Winner 2017) latest work in progress, the Life of Eugene Falleni, or Eugene. Caura will discuss her interest in this real-life story and her graphic and narrative choices.

Eugene relays the story of Eugene Falleni, an Italian-Australian transgender man convicted of the 1917 murder of his wife, and scrutinized for his identity. In the film, Eugene is living in Sydney, 1920. From the outside, his life seems relatively normal. Yet he’s haunted by nightmarish images and at times, plagued with guilt. As Eugene comes to terms with past traumatic events, he also stands to be accused of murdering his wife. Fleeing from the accusations, Eugene questions how long his secret can remain hidden.

Produced by 2P2L

2pm - Feature Film - Robot Dreams at FIAF Florence Gould Hall

This feature animation debut by Academy Award-nominated and Goya Award-winning Spanish director Pablo Berger adapts American author Sara Varon’s popular graphic novel for the big screen. The story, set in 1980s New York City, follows Dog, who—tired of being alone—builds himself a robot companion. Their friendship blossoms through a touching journey of companionship, its importance, and its fragility, which The Film Stage calls, “Profoundly human.” The film was received to great acclaim during its world premiere at the 76th Cannes Film Festival.

Ages: 8+

3:45pm - Misery Loves Comedy: Focus on Janet Perlman at FIAF Skyroom:

Join award-winning filmmaker Janet Perlman as she screens a collection of her short films, followed by a lively discussion about her creations and inspirations.

Over the span of her decades-long career, Perlman has created an impressive and wide-ranging body of work, from films to children’s books to television projects. Some of her best-known short films include Oscar-nominated The Tender Tale of Cinderella Penguin (1981), as well as Why Me? (1978), My Favorite Things That I Love (1994), and Sorry Film Not Ready (2010). Her oeuvre can best be described as both serious and satirical, absurdist and real. Perlman’s brilliant mind contains multitudes, and these 75 minutes with her promise to be spirited and enlightening.

“The Girl with the Red Beret”, her latest short film, will screen in New Francophone Shorts program 1 on Wednesday, January 24.

5:15pm - Cinematheque Quebecoise at FIAF Florence Gould Hall:

Recommended for Mature Audiences

Curated by La Cinematheque quebecoise animation film conservationist Marco de Blois, this selection of shorts gathers standout films from the most recent Les sommets du cinema d’animation, Quebec’s leading animation festival. Representing the wealth of Quebec and Canada’s works, these movies feature a diversity of techniques and perspectives and tap into fiction, experimental cinema, and the documentary form.

As Les sommets du cinema d’animation is produced by La Cinematheque quebecoise, an organization dedicated to preserving the heritage of Quebec’s motion pictures, this program includes two important films that were recently restored thanks to the Plan cultural numerique du Quebec, a project focused on digitizing the region’s audiovisual heritage. Animation First is pleased to present director Thomas Corriveau’s 1988 film “Kidnapped” and director Chris Hamilton’s 1988 film “A Nice Day in the Country” as they were originally intended to be seen.

7 Shorts, 73 min

8:15pm - Closing Night Feature Film - The Siren at FIAF Florence Gould Hall:

Set in 1980 Abadan—the capital of the Iranian oil industry—in the chaotic wake of a devastating Iraqi missile strike, the film follows 14-year-old Omid, who’s braved the siege and stayed in the ruined city with his ailing grandfather. Omid’s crumbling world is populated by a cast of unusual characters who’ve remained for their own reasons, and who model resistance throughout the ever-evolving conflict. French artistic director Zaven Najjar‘s 2D style and stark palette powerfully illustrate a visceral odyssey of the descent into war through the eyes of an innocent, using elements of magical realism to juxtapose adolescent fantasy with man-made horrors—and, ultimately, to highlight the persistence and triumph of hope. This acclaimed new work from Iranian filmmaker Sepideh Farsi premiered as the opening Panorama section film at the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival and was awarded Best Animated Film at the 16th Asia Pacific Screen Awards.

Ages: 14+

Animation Jam:

Animation Jam returns for a second year! Students from the BRASSART School in France and the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore will be given 48 hours to complete an animation sequence inspired by the festival’s opening night film, Jeremie Perin’s Mars Express. The final sequences will be screened at the closing night and made available online.

January 26–January 28, 2024 - In Person / Online

January 29–February 12, 2024 - Online on Eventive

US & French Student Short Film Competition:

January 29–February 12, 2024 - Online on Eventive

January 25–January 28, 2024 - Exhibition - Virtual Reality at FIAF Haskell Library:

Thu and Fri: 5pm–7pm

Sat and Sun: 11am–6pm

Dates: January 23, 2024 - February 12, 2024

Locations:

FIAF Florence Gould Hall - 55 East 59th Street, New York, NY 10022.

FIAF Haskell Library - 2nd Floor, 22 East 60th Street, New York, NY 10022.

FIAF Skyroom - 22 East 60th Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10022.

FIAF Tinker Auditorium - 55 East 59th Street, New York, NY 10022.

Tickets:

Individual Ticket

FIAF Members $12

Non-Members $16

25 & under $12

Centerpiece Pass:

FIAF Members $30

Non-Members $45

25 & under $30

Includes the complete Centerpiece Night: Sirocco and the Kingdom of Air Streams (7pm), party (8:30-9:45pm), and Best of Annecy 2023 Shorts (9:45pm)

Full Festival Pass

10% Early Bird Savings Dec 8-22

FIAF Members $117

Non-Members $135

25 & under $58.50

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