Getting Ready for Annecy Film Festival

A shockingly overconfident guide based on attending two whole times

Before I head down to Annecy again, I figured it’d be helpful to jot down a few quick notes on how I got ready for the Annecy Festival. If you're thinking of going in the future, consider this a rough-and-ready checklist based on what worked (and what I wish I’d known earlier!).

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

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!