French animation production and distribution company Dandelooo is set to captivate audiences at this year’s Annecy Festival with three animation events.
The Upside Down River: The series tells the story of Tomek and Hannah’s meeting on the way to the Qjar River. Hannah hopes to collect a magic drop to save her bird, while Tomek joins the adventure in search of a lost memory. Their quests follow one another, intertwine and finally complement each other.
The Upside Down River (8 x 22’) has been selected for the Work In Progress (WIP) session. Held on 10 June 2024 at 4:30 pm in the La Salle Pierre Lamy, director Paul Leluc will lead the WIP, giving an insight into the production, concept, story and artistic and technical development of this captivating 2D animation series. With exclusive extracts highlighting the creative processes, the event will culminate with a question-and-answer session.
Targeted at eight to 12-year-olds, the series is co-produced by Dandelooo, Vivi Film and Sparkle Animation. The series is an adaptation of the children’s novel La rivière à l’envers by French children’s laureate Jean Claude Mourlevat, winner of the 2021 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (ALMA).
Dounia, The Great White North: An outdoor public screening of the 50-minute film Dounia, The Great White North is scheduled for 10 June at 8 pm at Le Pâquier d’Annecy.
Created by Marya Zarif, this heart-warming, 2D winter special is directed by André Kadi and produced by Tobo Media and Haut et Court Distribution. Aimed at six to nine-year-olds, Dounia, The Great White North follows the journey of seven-year-old Dounia and her grandparents, who forced to leave Syria, finally find a new home and new friends in picturesque Canada.
Hola Frida!: It’s the first-ever animated feature film about Frida Kahlo’s childhood will be showcased with exclusive footage and music at a special screening event on Tuesday 11 June, at 11:30 am in the La Salle du Bonlieu. The event will feature French pop singer Olivia Ruiz reading a selection of Kahlo’s letters.
Targeted at five to nine-year-olds, the 75-minute feature is directed by Karine Vézina and André Kadi, and produced by Tobo Media (Canada), Du Coup Studio Production (Canada) and Haut et Court Distribution (France).
Hola Frida! depicts the fictional childhood story of Mexico’s iconic artist, capturing the vibrant and imaginative world of young Kahlo in Coyoacan, Mexico. Facing challenges Frida confronts them with an overflowing imagination, bringing to life the spirited journey of a little girl destined to become a legendary artist.