Singapore's 'The Violinist' Makes History with Annecy Festival Competition Selection
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A Singapore-produced animated feature, 'The Violinist,' has been selected for the main competition at the 2026 Annecy Animation Film Festival. This marks the first time in the festival's 65-year history a Singapore film has entered this prestigious category. The film, a co-production spanning three continents, will have its world premiere at Annecy in June.
Facts First
- 'The Violinist' is the first Singapore-produced animated film selected for the main competition at the Annecy Animation Film Festival in its 65-year history.
- The film is a trilateral co-production involving Singapore's Robot Playground Media, Spain's TV ON Producciones, and Italy's Altri Occhi.
- The story is set in early 20th-century Singapore and Malaya, following a violinist named Fei and her companion Kai through war and into the present day.
- The film features an international voice cast including actors from Singapore, Japan, and Spain.
- The project received public funding support from Singapore's IMDA, as well as Spanish and Italian national and regional bodies.
What Happened
'The Violinist,' a hand-drawn animated feature film, has been selected for the official competition at the Annecy Animation Film Festival 2026. This selection is a historic first for a Singapore-produced animated film in the festival's main competition. The film is co-directed by Singaporean filmmaker Ervin Han and Spanish director Raul Garcia, who previously worked as an animator on several classic Walt Disney Animation features. It is produced by Singapore's Robot Playground Media as a trilateral co-production with partners in Spain and Italy, with assembly work spread across seven countries. France tv distribution handles worldwide sales.
Why this Matters to You
If you are a fan of international animation or cinema, you may soon have access to a major new work with a unique historical perspective. The film's selection for a top-tier festival like Annecy could signal its quality and increase its visibility for international distribution. For audiences in Singapore and the region, the film offers a locally-produced, epic animated story set against the backdrop of Southeast Asian history, which is a rare cinematic offering. Its success could encourage more ambitious, internationally-collaborative film projects from the region.
What's Next
'The Violinist' will have its world premiere at the Annecy Animation Film Festival in June 2026. A Singapore premiere is planned for August of that year. Following these premieres, the film is slated for a broader international theatrical release.