4 takeaways from Annecy & MIFA 2026

Every year, Annecy is more than just a celebration of animation. It is where the industry's priorities become visible.

As part of the Vietnam Pavilion at MIFA 2026, DeeDee Animation Studio spent four days meeting producers, broadcasters, distributors, technology companies, and fellow studios from around the world. Beyond pitching projects and exploring collaborations, one thing became increasingly clear: the conversations are changing.

AI, financing, original IPs, international co-productions, and sustainable business models were no longer isolated topics. They appeared repeatedly across meetings, conference sessions, and casual discussions throughout the market. These recurring conversations offer valuable signals about where the animation industry is heading next. Here are the four biggest takeaways from Annecy & MIFA 2026

Lean is the new strong

Studios are becoming leaner and more flexible to stay nimble in an industry that continues to evolve. Instead of relying on large in-house teams, many are embracing hybrid production models and long-term creative partnerships that can scale with each project.

Anime is no longer just Japan’s story

Anime has become a worldwide phenomenon. It’s the hottest movement in today’s animation industry. European and North American producers are looking to better understand the anime market - not only its visual language, but also how to develop projects that resonate with its audience.

This creates a valuable opportunity for Asian studios to support international partners from concept to screen, bridging creative, cultural and production expertise.

AI has become part of every conversation

Perhaps the most unavoidable topic at Annecy this year was AI.

Major studios, distributors and software companies are actively exploring where AI can expand existing workflows. Whether AI will become a fully deployable solution for high-end animation is still an open question. But one thing is certain: the exploration is already happening.

The challenge now is finding where it genuinely creates value while preserving the creativity, craftsmanship and human decisions that make animation an art form.

Feature films are back in focus

We're seeing fewer traditional broadcast and platform-driven series, as serialized content continues shifting toward digital distribution. Meanwhile, feature films are attracting renewed attention, offering stronger opportunities for financing, distribution and international co-production.

For many studios, features are becoming one of the most promising formats in today's market.

Beyond all the market shifts and emerging technologies, Annecy remains what makes it special every year: a place where people who love animation come together to share ideas, build relationships and shape what's next.

See you again, Annecy 🤗.