Films selected include ‘Ghost Cat Anzu,’ ‘Pelikan Blue,’ ‘Rule Of The Heart,’ ‘A Boat In The Garden,’ and ‘The Colors Within;’ festival runs February 28 - March 9.
The Anima team has revealed a portion of the films selected for its feature film competition. The rest of the program will be revealed on February 4. Anima 2025 will be held from February 28 - March 9 at Flagey, Marni, and Cinematek.
The current feature film competition selections include:
- Ghost Cat Anzu - Karin, aged 11, is abandoned by her parents and left with her grandfather, who asks his ghost cat Anzu to look after her. When these two headstrong characters meet, sparks fly.
- Pelikan Blue - With the opening of Hungary’s borders in 1990, travel finally becomes possible again, although prices remain exorbitant. Determined to discover Western Europe, three young people rig up some fake international train tickets.
- Rule Of The Heart - In a faraway kingdom, a king is preparing to marry off his daughter, Princess Alda. But one evening, she meets a stranger who gives her a rather surprising gift. Shaken by this encounter and the new feelings it produces, she decides to run away from the palace and discover the truth.
- A Boat In The Garden - In the 1950s, 11-year-old François watches his parents build a sailboat in their garden. This project accompanies him from adolescence to adulthood and feeds his passion for the sea and drawing, leaving him with a tender view of his childhood and family.
- The Colors Within - Totsuko can see other people as colors. Kimi has quit school and is afraid to tell her grandmother. Rui dreams of becoming a musician, despite pressure from his family to become a doctor. Together, they decide to form a band.
- Totto-Chan: The Little Girl At The Window - Totto-Chan is an unusual little girl, is enrolled at Tomoe, a unique school which prioritizes independence and creativity. As Japan descends into war, she discovers that the small experiences in life are more meaningful than her school lessons.
The jury for the 2025 edition brings together three prominent figures in animation: Christophe Jankovic, director, producer, and co-founder of Golem&Linea Films; Mascha Halberstad, stop motion specialist; and Jean-Charles Mbotti Malolo, Lyon-based director and choreographer.
In addition to the in-person festivities, Anima will also offer a selection of films online on Sooner. Learn more here.
Source: Anima 2025
Journalist, antique shop owner, aspiring gemologist—L'Wren brings a diverse perspective to animation, where every frame reflects her varied passions.
