Disney is going back to the Annecy International Animation Film Festival this year to showcase new releases that promise to bring fresh, captivating adventures to families.
This includes a screening of “Inside Out 2,” a sneak peek of “Moana 2,” a 30th anniversary screening of “The Lion King” and a celebration of 40 years of Disney Television Animation, which includes “The Proud Family,” “Phineas and Ferb,” “Hamster & Gretel” and more.
On the Walt Disney Animation Studios side, the “Moana 2” presentation will feature the film’s director Dave Derrick Jr. and co-director Jason Hand. The movie takes place three years after the original for an adventure that reunites Moana and Maui. “After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced,” according to the official synopsis.
The 30th anniversary screening of “The Lion King” will include an introduction by newly honored Disney Legend Mark Henn, the supervising animator for young Simba. There will also be a special screening of the film at the local hospital “to give children and hospital staff the chance to experience ‘moments that matter to those who need it most.’”
For Pixar, there will be a preview screening of “Inside Out 2,” which will be attended by director Kelsey Mann and producer Mark Nielsen.
On June 11, Disney Branded Television will present “40 Years of Disney Television Animation: Past, Present and Future” and will explore the program’s launch in 1984 through today. The panel will include various industry figures.
Additionally, there will be a second panel called “Storytelling Through Music.” Moderated by Jay Stutler, senior vice president of Music, Disney Television Animation, this panel will discuss how music brings happiness and joy to kids and family content. It will include various industry figures.
The next day, the makers of “The Doomies,” an original scary comedy made in France, will show a preview to audience through a Work in Progress session.
It all ends with an outdoor showing of “Big City Greens the Movie: Spacecation” on June 14.
Even though Disney has been involved in the festival from the beginning, 20th Television Animation will have its first appearance at Annecy this year with a panel titled “Bob’s Burgers: In Conversation With Creative Team Behind the Emmy-Winning Series” on June 14. Attendees include creator and executive producer Loren Bouchard alongside director Bernard Derriman, executive producer Janelle Momary-Neely and supervising director Simon Chong. The release says, “Panelists will draw, take questions and discuss how the show has evolved into one of the top adult animation series currently on air.”
The Annecy International Animation Film Festival takes place from June 9 to June 15.
