The Annecy International Animation Film Festival is the world’s biggest animation event. In 2026 it celebrates its 50th edition and runs from 21 to 27 June 2026. For a week, tens of thousands of festival-goers, professionals and fans converge on the city. Here are the dates, highlights and where to stay.
Annecy Festival 2026: dates and program
- Dates: Sunday 21 to Saturday 27 June 2026.
- Edition: the 50th, a landmark anniversary for the festival.
- The Mifa: the International Animation Film Market runs from 23 to 26 June 2026, the professional heart of the event.
- The spirit: screenings, competitions, open-air sessions by the lake, meetings with studios (sources: City of Annecy, festival organisation).
Highlights not to miss
The festival blends world premieres, feature and short films in competition, retrospectives and special sessions. The open-air screenings on the Pâquier, facing the lake, are a much-loved tradition. On the professional side, the Mifa gathers studios, distributors and talent from around the world: for one week, Annecy becomes the world capital of animation.
Where to stay during the festival
Festival week is one of the busiest of the year in Annecy: accommodation near the centre and the lake books out very early. Travelers should plan ahead. For owners, it is a revenue peak, provided the listing is visible, the rate is adjusted and the welcome is flawless.
Owners: making the most of the festival peak
Festival-goers and Mifa professionals look for well-located homes for a full week. An Annecy concierge service that optimizes your listing, adjusts rates to demand and provides a multilingual welcome captures this audience. Mind your compliance too: registration number and caps, detailed in our guide to Annecy regulations. For Airbnb lettings, see our Airbnb management in Annecy.
