This year, however, is a very special one: for the first time, all the final-year students on the 3D Animation and Special Effects course will be attending. It’s an exceptional opportunity to immerse themselves at the heart of the industry’s benchmark event, with a host of meetings, professional opportunities and highlights.
Annecy, the world capital of animation
Every year, the Annecy International Animation Film Festival brings together the greatest talents in animation from all over the world. Considered the industry’s must-attend event, it welcomes studios, producers, directors, artists, recruiters, students and enthusiasts to a rich programme of screenings, conferences, professional meetings and discoveries of tomorrow’s creations.
As the world’s leading animation showcase, Annecy is an essential stop-off point for those who want to work in the industry. For students, it’s a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes of the sector, talk to recognised professionals and plan their future careers.
A historic first for ESMA
The 2026 edition marks an important milestone in the school’s history. For the first time, all the final-year students in the 3D Animation and Special Effects programme will be taking part in the festival.
This collective presence reflects ESMA’s desire to offer its students a hands-on immersion in the international animation ecosystem. Throughout the week, they will have the opportunity to attend conferences, meet recruiters, discover trends in the sector and develop their professional network through contact with the industry’s leading players.
22 June: ESMA at the WIA 2026 World Summit
One of the highlights of this year’s event will be ESMA’s participation in the WIA 2026 World Summit.
Women in Animation (WIA) is an international network committed to a more inclusive and representative animation industry. The organisation works around the world to support talent, encourage diversity and promote access to professional opportunities in all areas of animation.
This year, ESMA takes another step forward by becoming one of only two educational institutions to support Women in Animation at this level, alongside the School of Visual Arts in New York.
This is a particularly important announcement for the school, and we’ll be coming back to it in more detail shortly.
23 June: an ESMA project selected for the Festival’s Student Pitch
On 23 June, ESMA will be taking part in the Annecy Festival Student Pitch, an event organised on the Mifa Campus that brings together ten teams from international animation schools.
This special session gives students the opportunity to hone their project presentation skills in front of experienced industry professionals.
ESMA will be represented by La Nuit des Casse-Noisettes. The short film will be presented by Jeremy Leclercq and Yannis Naroyanin, who will have the opportunity to defend their project in front of a panel of experts.
As well as the pitch itself, this experience gives participants invaluable feedback on their work and the opportunity to take part in a number of discussions and networking opportunities with professionals from the sector.
24 June: ESMAnnecy, the big event for ESMA students
Because Annecy is also a human adventure, ESMA students are organising a big picnic on 24 June called ESMAnnecy.
From 6.30pm to 9pm, in the Jardins de l’Europe, students from all the school’s campuses will come together to share a convivial moment of meeting and exchange.
This initiative will enable students to get to know each other, develop their networks between classes and campuses, and enjoy the unique atmosphere of the festival together. The first participants will also receive a personalised badge as a souvenir of the event.
25 June: the long-awaited return of the Alumni Apéro
As every year, ESMA will be bringing together its alumni community for the traditional Alumni Apéro.
Over the years, this event has become an essential part of the festival. It brings together graduates, young professionals and students in a warm atmosphere where they can share experiences and meet new people.
The evening was a perfect illustration of the strength of the ESMA network, where different generations of graduates continue to share their experiences, advice and career opportunities with future animation talent.
26 June: time for the famous Annecy Picnic
Another highlight of the week is the traditional Annecy Picnic.
For many years, ESMA has been involved in organising this renowned festival event, alongside prestigious partners such as Locksmith Animation, Blue Zoo, Aardman, Epic Games and DNEG.
Led by Shelley Page, a leading figure in the animation industry, this guest-only event is a unique opportunity to encourage exchanges between international students and professionals.
For the ESMA students involved in its organisation, this experience represents an exceptional opportunity. They take part in a major event while meeting some of the industry’s most influential artists, supervisors, recruiters and studio heads. These exchanges enable them to gather valuable advice and make contacts that could play a decisive role in their professional future.
Teasers for the Class of 2026 unveiled
As every year, Annecy will also be the scene of a particularly eagerly awaited moment: the revelation of the teasers for the graduation films of the class of 2026.
These previews will be presented on the stand of Progiss 3DVF, a leading distributor of software and hardware solutions for 3D and visual effects professionals.
This presentation will provide an exclusive opportunity to discover the worlds, styles and artistic ambitions of the future films of the graduating class. At the end of the festival, the teasers will gradually be unveiled to the general public on the Esma Movies YouTube channel, from 29 June to 26 August 2026.
An unforgettable experience for an entire class
Much more than just a festival, Annecy is a true immersion in the heart of the global animation industry. Between artistic discoveries, professional meetings, exclusive events and moments of sharing, this week represents a milestone in the career of each student.
For this 2026 edition, ESMA is particularly proud to support all its future graduates in this unique adventure.
We wish all our students an excellent festival, lots of great encounters and an unforgettable experience. See you in Annecy!