Marcel Jean Stepping Down As Annecy Artistic Director As Fest Launches Search For His Successor

The Annecy Festival has opened its search for an Artistic Director to lead the 2028–2030 editions. Marcel Jean is expected to step down after the 2027 edition.

The Annecy International Animation Film Festival has begun searching for a new artistic director to oversee the 2028–2030 editions. Marcel Jean, who has led the programming since 2013, is set to step down after the 2027 edition, making the search a turning point in determining Annecy’s future programming criteria at one of the world’s leading gatherings for the animation industry.

A New Vision for Three Editions

According to the official announcement, the new artistic director will envision, develop, and oversee the festival’s artistic vision from 2028 to 2030 alongside the CEO of CITIA. Key responsibilities include shaping the program’s direction, fostering exchanges between aesthetics and creative expressions from around the world, and discovering and supporting emerging talent and new generations.

Balancing Continuity and Change

The most important challenge outlined in the search is designing how Annecy will evolve while preserving its identity. The role is closer to a long-term programming strategy than a simple operational appointment, as it must maintain the festival’s international standing expected by existing audiences and the industry while incorporating new formats, regions, and creators into the program.

The Standards Set During Jean’s Tenure

During his tenure as artistic director, Jean introduced the Off-Limits, Perspectives, and Young Audiences short-film competition categories, and launched the second feature-film competition section, Contrechamp, in 2019. These changes expanded space for experimental work, emerging animation regions, and features that depart from conventional production and storytelling methods. His successor will decide whether to continue this expanded program structure or establish different priorities.

Source: Annecy Festival official announcement · Cartoon Brew