Netflix Returns to Annecy Festival With an Ambitious and Uniquely Diverse Slate

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Netflix Returns to Annecy Festival With an Ambitious and Uniquely Diverse Slate

Entertainment

14 June 2023

GlobalFrance

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Plus: Exclusive Looks at Nimona, Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, Blue Eye Samurai and Much MoreDownload the photo here

Netflix animation talent at Annecy 2023 from L-R - Leo directors, Robert Marianetti and David Wachtenheim; Blue Eye Samurai supervising director and producer Jane Wu; Leo director Robert Smigel; Blue Eye Samurai executive producer, Erwin Stoff; Chicken Run director, Sam Fell; host Brooke Keesling; Chicken Run producer, Leyla Hobart; executive producer, Peter Lord; Nimona director, Troy Quane; creator, ND Stevenson, director, Nick Bruno]

Annecy, France; Wednesday, June 14, 2023 - Today, Netflix took over the Th tre Bonlieu stage at Annecy Film Festival presenting its From Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget to Blue Eye Samurai - See Whats Next @ Netflix panel, featuring conversations with award-winning filmmakers and creators, exclusive first looks and behind-the-scenes sneak peaks. This session followed the trailer release of highly anticipated feature film Nimona and the announcement of, Orion and the Dark, an animated film from iconic screenwriter, Charlie Kaufman, coming in 2024.

Following a monumental year for animation at Netflix - with wins at the Oscars and BAFTA (Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio), the Primetime Emmys (Arcane; Love, Death + Robots) and a sweep of the animated program categories in the inaugural Childrens & Family Emmys competition - the studio returned to Annecy with an exciting slate of diverse, ambitious films and series, highlighting its continued drive to bring the best of animation and storytelling to its members around the world.

Industry expert, Brooke Keesling hosted the See Whats Next @ Netflix session and kicked off with a look at the coming-of-age animated musical comedy Leo starring Adam Sandler, featuring an introduction by directors Robert Marianetti, Robert Smigel and David Wachtenheim as well as a specially recorded message from lead actor and writer/producer Adam Sandler.

On coming to Annecy the directors (Marianetti, Smigel and Wachtenheim) said: It's been a long journey for us, from making cartoons for grownups on Saturday Night Live to directing an animated musical about a class pet, but we're thrilled to be here in Annecy to share it. Leo is voiced by Adam Sandler and of course, its silly and funny but it's also about honest emotions and situations that every kid (and parent) experiences in elementary school. We hope people of all ages will relate to it.

Up next, was a dynamic conversation about the upcoming animated series Blue Eye Samurai co-created by Academy Award nominee Michael Green and Amber Noizumi. Blue Eye Samurai executive producer Erwin Stoff and supervising director and producer Jane Wu shared the vision for the story of a mixed-race master of the sword who lives a life in disguise while seeking revenge in Edo-period Japan.

Blue Eye Samurai executive producer Erwin Stoff stated, "Animation has always been a great medium for storytelling and Annecy is the best global stage to introduce audiences to Blue Eye Samurai. Michael Green and Amber Noizumi have assembled a tremendously talented team of artists and actors to bring their spectacularly creative and distinct vision to life.

Jane Wu commented, With Blue Eye Samurai, we are setting out to tell an ambitious new story and we cant wait for audiences around the world to be introduced to this emotionally grounded animated drama with a live-action attitude."

Multi-award-winning industry leaders Aardman (Sam Fell - director; Peter Lord - executive producer; Leyla Hobart - producer) took to the stage for the second part of the session, discussing the eagerly awaited stop-motion film Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget. Outlining their vision for the sequel to the highest-grossing stop-motion animation of all time (Chicken Run), the team also exclusively confirmed that the film will premiere globally on Netflix on Friday, December 15.

Director Sam Fell highlighted how the festival felt like the perfect home to showcase his new film: It's great to be back at Annecy, especially to share a first look at Aardman's new baby - Dawn of the Nugget. We've poured every bit of technical and creative know-how we've learned over 40 years of filmmaking into her. She's a chip off the old block from an amazing predecessor - we love her to bits and are so excited to show her to the world.

Aardman Co-Founder and the film's executive producer Peter Lord commented: It's wonderful to be returning to Annecy, the greatest animation festival in the world. I came here years ago with Nick Park when we co-directed our first movie Chicken Run. We both felt that there hadn't been nearly enough truly memorable chicken heroes in movies, and we set out to correct that injustice with our film. Since then, it's been amazing to watch those characters become beloved by audiences all over the world. Well, now they're making their return in Dawn of the Nugget - a thrilling new chapter which I'm delighted to say is being directed by the equally amazing Sam Fell. For all of us, humans and chickens alike, the adventure continues.

Throughout the panel, audiences were treated to exclusive clips from Exploding Kittens, a new adult animated comedy series starring Tom Ellis and Lucy Liu; and the Anthony Stacchi-helmed animated feature film, The Monkey King, an action-packed family comedy. The panel wrapped with a sizzle reel featuring the best of whats to come from Netflix animation including sneak peaks at Pok mon Concierge, Mech Cadets and Big Mouth.

Brooke closed the session reminding audiences of the exclusive screening of must-see animated feature Nimona tonight, f

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