Welcome back to my Annecy Film Festival 2025 diary, this post is for Day 2 (Tuesday)! If you haven’t yet, you can catch up on the previous day’s highlights below:

Shan Singh

Annecy 2025 - Day 1

A quick recap…

Read more

a year ago · 2 likes · 1 comment · Shan Singh

Films on Day 2 (Tuesday)

An engineering chicken, demonic girl and a snake-like father

On Day 2, I made it to two screenings. First was Short Films 3 - a set of slightly strange shorts, some with a hint of horror creeping in. Then in the evening came WTF2025 - part of the festival’s annual tradition of celebrating a weird, but absolutely hilarious, collection of shorts.

Short Films Official 3

With so many films packed into the short film categories, I’ve decided to keep things simple: I’ll share a quick summary and a few thoughts on each one - and dive in a bit deeper for the ones that really stood out to me.

Luna rossa

Luna rossa starts with a disclaimer “Believe it or not - this is a story about love” and by the end I guess if your brain is still working you will probably agree. The story follows a “nefarious plot” (I don’t want to reveal any details), and what seems to be a secret agent who’s monitoring this “plot”. My favourite part of this short was the way all characters move - its so jarring but at the same time so fluid and “symphonic”.

Fusion

Fusion is a very short audio-visual experience. I’ve seen something quite similar at Annecy 2023 and its honestly quite hard to write about. The way the music complements the animation is amazing though.

Exploding Girl

Out of the ones in this selection, Exploding Girl is the one you can analyse for hours trying to understand the meaning and symbolism. The whole short feels like its straight out of a gory version of VR chat mixed with demonic Barbie’s playhouse. The plot follows a girl who explodes every day (sometimes multiple times a day). The explosions are quite violent and leave her gradually more scarred, and those around her turned to mince. My thoughts were that the story is symbolism for panic attacks, which for those who’ve experience them, can come out of nowhere, and often without an obvious trigger. There are scenes in this short that are brutal, and jarring (this is a word I keep repeating for this selection of shorts).

Dollhouse Elephant

Dollhouse Elephant was probably my favourite in this selection. The art-style and colours exuberated joy. The story follows residents of an apartment building - all of whom seem to have personal issues, which are often made worse by their neighbours. For example, the girl that lives on the top floor is extremely self conscious - feeling like “all eyes are constantly on her” (represented by actual eyes appearing on her body), or that smells in her environment will ‘attach’ themselves to her like a lingering cloud. This causes her to constantly take baths to clean herself - causing her to overfill her bathtub, which leaks into the flat below. The flat below has a girl obsessed with collecting plants, which get watered due to the leak - causing great frustration for her boyfriend who isn’t getting enough attention. Add to this another few neighbours each with their own problems (and eventually solutions) and you have a great story.

Sisowath Quay

Sisowath Quay is a story of a woman who turns into a terrifying demon. This one faced some technical difficulties with subtitles which meant I had to watch the first 60 seconds about 4 times - so I’ll probably remember that for the rest of my life. The tale is a great mix of an old legend brought into the modern world, alongside an environmental message. Being a short - me telling you that the woman turns into a demon already feels like a spoiler, so I’m not going to beyond that, but what stood out to me was the way characters were animated. It really felt like real people with their emotions and expressions plain to see. There’s a scene with shadow puppets which was also really well made.

WTF2025

WTF2025 had a lot of fun, weird and innovative shorts. It really lived up to its name - I actually was saying “what the fuck….” under my breath while credits rolled for most of them.

Due to the sheer number of films, I’ll list each one below and for my top three, give my thoughts. Some of these have releases online, so try to find them!

WTF2025 Films:

• Adventures of Murder Man

• The Joke’s Butt

• A shitty movie

• Kasey Cartoon

• I beg your pardon

• Bear Hunt

• Skroll

• Peter Hair

• Nostril

• Desk Bugs

• Rabbits have red eyes

• Adam and Even in the kingdom of animals

• Mr Legs

• Mamiko’s poop

• Vinegar Mother

• A taste of beer

• Chicken in the flying eggshell

Out of this amazing list, the three I’d like to call out are: Peter Hair, A taste of beer and Chicken in the flying eggshell.

Peter Hair

This hilarious short by Adult Swim is actually on YouTube in full so you can watch for yourself, but I’ll just have to say, the creativity, animation, voice acting, everything is so well done. The fear of losing ones hair is one many men in their 20s onward usually have, so seeing it from the point of view of your hair is amazing. Since the short is on YouTube, just stop reading and go watch it now!

A taste of beer

This was probably the weirdest thing I saw in my entire week at Annecy. I still sometimes stay awake thinking about it. The short is a story of parental pride. Of happiness. Of sadness. Of fatherly love. Or maybe its nothing. I honestly don’t know. All I know is that the whole cinema hall was filled with collective confusion and laughter. I couldn’t find this one on YouTube or elsewhere, but I’ve added a screenshot below, so you’ll know if you ever find it, its the right one.

Chicken in the Flying Eggshell

This is not just one of the best out of the WTF collection this year, but one of the best pieces of animation I’ve ever seen. Its so thought provoking. So beautiful. It’s a testament to what’s achievable by a determined being.

Good news and bad news. Chicken in the Flying eggshell is currently not on YouTube, but luckily it will be available later this year! I’ve linked the trailer below and will update with a link to the full short once its released!

Summary

Day 2 at Annecy was wonderfully weird, and I hope the collection above helps you understand why.

In regards, to the Substack posts. I’ve been overly ambitious with my scheduled plan. During the festival itself, most of my screenings were in the late evening so it was hard to write my blog there. Mornings were busy exploring. And once I’m back in the UK, I’ve been back in my work-life routine.

My new idea is to post the diary over the next few weeks. This way it gives me additional time to reflect on the films, but also sneakily extends my Annecy experience. So see you soon!

This is the first post in a series from the Annecy Animation Film Festival 2025 - a week full of amazing films, insane food and a lot of walking.

I’ll be sharing little daily updates on what I’m watching, stuff I get up to, and anything else that stands out.

If you’re planning to go yourself someday, I’ve also written a guide on how to prep for the festival, so do check that out!

Before we get into the films, I just have to talk about arriving in Annecy, because honestly, it never gets old.

You reach the train station, wander through these ridiculously picturesque streets (every corner looks like it’s auditioning for a Disney remake), and you hit the river. Crystal clear, slow-moving, and yet always present.

And then... the lake.
Nothing, and I mean nothing, prepares you for that first glimpse. It’s so absurdly beautiful it feels fake — like someone built and then blew up a Powerade factory next to the shore. We were joking that if you grew up here, your whole sense of beauty would be completely broken. Like, where do you even go from there?

I’ve added a few photos below to rest my case - also because it’s easier than making more Powerade comparisons.

Films on Day 1 (Monday)

Bread zombies, talking ovaries and a retelling of an Orwell classic

Now onto the films — the main reason I’m here.

With our Festival accreditation, we could book two screenings a day. I started with one of my favourite categories: short films, this is because you often see films you’ll never see again, as opposed to Feature Films, which may see a theatrical release. Today, I managed to get a reservation for Short Films Official 6.

For the second slot, I was glad to get a reservation for Animal Farm. It’s one of my favourite books, and with Andy Serkis directing, it was high on my list.

Short Films Official 6

There were 7 short films in this screening. My thoughts on each are below.

Ordinary Life

Ordinary Life is a sensory experience with no dialogue and a minimalist 2D art style. It follows a young woman as she stares into a mushroom, noticing its tiny grooves and ridges — which then leads into a montage of surreal, trance-like scenes set to music that fits perfectly.

The meaning is open to interpretation, but we felt it echoed the experience of psychedelics. The way she becomes hyper-aware of small details - the feeling of her hair, the way sunlight cuts through her skin, her dog’s suddenly menacing teeth, even sushi edging closer to falling off a conveyor belt - all suggests a heightened state of perception.

It felt like a film about slowing down and seeing the world differently. But only the director and team know for sure.

My Brother, My Brother

My Brother, My Brother is a story about loss, following your dreams, and the role of religion in personal identity. It centres on Omar and his twin brother, Wesam.

It’s hard to talk about this one without giving too much away - so I’ll just say it’s worth watching if you get the chance.

What really stood out to me was the visual style. The 2D characters, with bold, expressive colours, are layered over real photographic backgrounds, and the contrast works beautifully.

My Wonderful Life

Ever been so stressed that a quiet hospital room sounds like paradise? Even if it means finding a way to stay there? My Wonderful Life leans into that feeling.

Grace ends up in hospital after an infection, and as she remembers the chaos of her life outside, she starts coming up with increasingly ridiculous ways to extend her stay. The result is a hilarious (and very gory) short with great characters (especially Mako/Momo 🐈) and sharp pacing.

Bonus points for the sprinkling of Singaporean slang - it adds a lot of charm.

Bread Will Walk

Zombies eating humans? Makes sense. That’s the rule. We all know it. But what if humans started eating zombies?

In Bread Will Walk, a strange disease caused by genetically modified bread turns people into… well, bread. And in a world where all other food has gone extinct, these bread-people start to look disturbingly tasty.

The art style is rough and surreal - almost dreamlike. It reminded me of what you might get if you plugged someone’s memories into a machine and asked it to generate images of what it found.

Ovary-Acting

Ovary-Acting tells a story that many women in their 20s and 30s will instantly recognise: the pressure of the “ticking biological clock”.

The title, a great pun, sets the tone. An ovary literally comes to life and bursts into musical numbers, trying to convince the main character to have a baby. It’s funny, clever, and surprisingly heartfelt.

At its core, the film is about choice. It reminds women that they get to decide when, or if, the time is right, and that there’s more to life than just following “mother nature’s clock.”

Thank You Dr. Farsi

In Thank You Dr. Farsi We meet Mino on her 27th birthday, and through her eyes, we experience a observational look at the lives of her friends - each dealing with their own mental health challenges - or at least that’s what first meets the eye. Again, this one is extremely hard to write about without giving away spoilers, so I’ll do what may seem lazy and ask you to watch it yourself.

Signal

I’ve always been fascinated by the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI). What must it be like to work there? Would you slowly lose your mind staring at signals all day?

Signal explores that idea — and does it brilliantly. I won’t spoil the details, but what really stands out is the dance choreography. It’s unexpected, so addictive to watch, and holds the entire short together.

Animal Farm

Moving on from the short films, I got the chance to watch a preview of Andy Serkis’s upcoming adaptation of Animal Farm. Before the screening, there was an introduction from the production team and Serkis himself, where he spoke about the long journey the film has taken to make, and how they worked with the Orwell Estate to reinterpret the novel through a modern lens.

I won’t go into specifics or critiques, since this was a preview and things may still change. But it’s worth noting that the story takes quite a different direction from the original novel. Instead of a straightforward modern retelling, it leans into a post-modern, futuristic setting - with high-tech mega farms and what looked like a female Elon Musk–style villain.

The adaptation also introduces a new character not found in the original novel - Lucky - who takes on a central role. He goes through a bit of a redemption arc and ultimately becomes the key figure in bringing peace to the farm. This shift also points to a more hopeful and optimistic ending than Orwell’s original.

Seth Rogen voices Napoleon, who’s portrayed with a slightly more goofy, playful edge compared to the novel’s cold and ruthless version. I’m not entirely sure if that choice works - I found myself sympathising with him a lot more than I ever did while reading the book, which felt a bit at odds with the original tone. Old Major’s absence from the film was also a surprising choice. I’ve always seen him as a central figure in the book, the one who sets everything in motion. Perhaps Serkis wanted to move away from the more direct Marx–Trotsky–Stalin parallels, which have been debated over the years. Focusing instead on the broader theme of oppression might be just as valid - and maybe more resonant for a modern audience.

I’m curious to see what changes make it into the final version of the film and how it’s received once it’s out. Either way, it was a great way to kick off the festival. If you’ve made it to the end of this post, thanks for reading - see you tomorrow!

Booking accommodation (book early!)

The dates for next year’s Annecy Festival are usually announced not long after the current one wraps up, which gives you plenty of time to book your stay. And trust me, book early. Prices go up fast, and the later you leave it, the further from the city centre you’ll end up.

Decide how many days you want to attend and lock in your accommodation as soon as possible. I thought I was ahead of the game this year by booking a flat on Booking.com - only to have it cancelled suddenly. I got lucky finding a backup, but I’ve learnt my lesson: hotels tend to be more reliable than flats.

Also, start thinking early about how you’ll get to Annecy. If you're coming internationally, flying into Geneva and taking a FlixBus has worked well for me. Travel isn't as time-sensitive as accommodation, but it’s still worth having a plan.

Buying an Accreditation

Your accreditation is your golden pass to the festival. It lets you reserve film screenings, access exhibitions, attend signings, and - yes - gets you a very official looking lanyard.

There are a few different types, but many depend on your profession or where you live. If you’re not an animation student or industry professional, and you live outside the Haute-Savoie region, the Festival accreditation* is your best bet. It gives you two free reservations per day and access to most public events. If you grab it early, it’s also pretty affordable.

*Note: The names and rules around accreditations can change from year to year, so double-check what’s available when you’re applying!

Reserve your films!

Ticket reservations open just a few days before the festival kicks off (in 2025, they opened on 4th June, with the festival starting on the 8th). And here’s the thing: animators do not mess around. Screenings can fill up within minutes.

My top-tip? Go in prepared. Favourite the events you’re interested in on the Programmes page ahead of time, and have them open in separate tabs before the booking window opens. When it’s go-time, focus on your must-sees first - pick your battles. If you’re going with friends and want to watch the same things, be in the same room when booking or at least coordinate ahead of time.

Heads up: the Annecy site may crash. Don’t panic. Check the Festival’s Instagram Stories - they’re usually quick with updates.

Didn’t get a reservation? All hope is not lost! Most screenings have a few unreserved spots available on the day. Just line up early, and you’ve still got a good shot.

Additional Thoughts

A few extra tips that didn’t quite fit anywhere else, but are still worth knowing:

• Follow @annecyfestival on Instagram – they post loads of useful updates before, during, and after the event. Ticketing issues, venue changes, surprise announcements - it’s all there.

• Pack for all kinds of weather – it can go from sunny to soaking in a matter of hours. Bring rain gear and some layers just in case.

• Don’t just stick to the city – Annecy is stunning. The lake, the surrounding mountains, little forest trails - give yourself time to explore outside the festival bubble too. It’s worth it.

• Going to Annecy Festival 2025? Join the unofficial discord! - (not run by me) https://discord.gg/MGXpzG3S

Join the Discord!

Throughout the week, I’ll be sharing a day-by-day diary of what I got up to at the festival - the films, the vibes, and most importantly, the food! Stay tuned if you’re curious!

These words from Javed Akhtar resonated deeply with me. He illustrated this with a haunting example: how we might protest the killing of tigers as inhumane, yet consider fishing a peaceful pastime.

“Have you ever heard, ‘Stop fishing?’ Fishing is supposed to be some kind of entertainment in tranquility. No violent sound… Gentle hai. The fisherman starts skinning the fish with a blunt knife. Nobody calls it sadistic, inhuman, or cruel”.

Akhtar suggests this is because fish have no vocal cords. They cannot scream as they are dismembered. In contrast, art, literature, and poetry give voice to the silent. They are how society screams when it is in pain. And a culture that neglects them may find itself voiceless when it, too, needs to cry out.

Vocal cords of ones and zeros

In the last few years we’ve seen a remarkable change in how we create media. We’re entering an era where entertainment can be generated on demand. A single prompt can conjure up a song in any genre, a painting in any style, even a believable video of a person who never existed. AI doesn’t get tired. It doesn’t lose confidence. It doesn’t have a bad writing day.

And this is only the beginning. We’re on the verge of a new kind of hyper-entertainment - experiences that once felt like science fiction. Imagine stepping into your favourite film, not just watching it but becoming a character who shapes the story. Picture a whodunnit so perfectly tailored that no human mind could have written it - because it was written just for you. Or a new song by your favourite artist, generated on the spot, crafted to match your exact mood in that exact moment.

But beneath all of that will lie ones and zeros. AI, no matter how advanced, can replicate the form of art, but not its origin. It can imitate feeling, but it cannot feel. It does not grieve, or yearn, or fall in love. It has no memory, no childhood, no fear of death. And so, while it can mimic the shape of beauty, it lacks the bruises that give art its soul. Human art is not just output - it is outcry. It’s messy, inconsistent, and deeply personal. And that’s what makes it matter.

In a world where content is cheap and infinite, it’s meaning that becomes rare. The more we’re surrounded by machine-made perfection, the more we may begin to crave the imperfect - work that bears the fingerprints of real people. A burger mass-produced in a factory might be consistent, even delicious, but it will never earn a Michelin star. A burger crafted by a seasoned chef might not be technically superior, but it carries something else: intent. Memory. A point of view. In the same way, the artist of the future may no longer be defined by the act of creating from scratch, but by their ability to provoke - to use the same tools as AI, but wield them to confront, to console, to witness.

Art Without a Pulse

AI art has undeniably captured my curiosity. I’ve used it to make music in genres I’d never have touched otherwise, to add playful embellishments to dull projects, and to breathe life into old photos by turning them into moving images. It was entertaining, no doubt about that. But did I ever value those creations more than something made with care, intention, and a human touch? Not even close.

So, do I think AI will out-entertain us? Yes, I do. But will that silence the artist? No - because in a world of synthetic voices, we’ll need our vocal cords more than ever.

Footnote

The article above is a slight effort to collect my thoughts about a topic that I’m very torn about. I would love your feedback, especially since its my first article!

On a different note - I’ll be at the Annecy Film Festival all of next week, so will aim to write about what I get up to. See you then!