Latvian Animation Returns to Annecy for 11th Consecutive Year; World Premiere of Born in the Jungle Held at MIFA Market

The 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival and MIFA Animation Market has kicked off, marking the 11th straight year that Latvian animators and industry institutions attend the world’s top animation event. Led by the Latvian Animation Association with support from the National Film Centre of Latvia and State Culture Capital Foundation, the national delegation brings a flagship animated feature and avant-garde short films to screenings and business negotiations. By co-sharing the joint Animated Baltics booth, Latvian creators expand global co-production and distribution partnerships, sealing multiple international distribution deals and showcasing the unique creative power of Eastern European animation.

1. Highlight Premiere: Family Feature Born in the Jungle Debuts Worldwide at Annecy

The centerpiece of Latvia’s lineup is the highly anticipated animated feature Born in the Jungle (Laimīgie) directed by acclaimed filmmaker Edmunds Jansons. Selected for the official non-competitive strand “Annecy Presents”, the film held its world premiere on June 25 with four public screenings scheduled throughout the festival.

• Co-production Background: Led by Latvia’s Atom Art, the feature is a tri-national co-production with Poland’s Letko and Czech studio Hausboot. Adapted from the novel by Latvian author Luīze Pastore and inspired by real jungle explorer Aleksander Laime’s family adventures, it targets family audiences aged 5–8.
• Story Synopsis: Set in the late 1950s Venezuelan rainforest, the story follows nine-year-old Elizabeth who ventures deep into the wilderness to rescue her younger brother Leo. Along the journey, she saves a mythical forest creature and climbs the legendary Tepui plateau, delivering heartfelt themes of family, kindness, acceptance and responsibility toward nature.
• Global Distribution Breakthrough: French sales agency Dandelooo Cinéma acquired worldwide sales rights. During MIFA, new distribution partnerships were locked with distributors across Europe and Southeast Asia, including Filmladen (Austria), Gebeka Films (France), Paradiso Films (Benelux), Satine Film (Italy) and Featherstone (Vietnam), securing wide theatrical releases across multiple territories.

2. Satirical Short Sunshine for All Presented at CEE Animation Pitching Session

At the CEE Animation curated pitching event held alongside MIFA, Latvia’s brand-new 2D ironic short Sunshine for Everyone (Saule spīd visiem) was showcased to global producers and buyers. Helmed by celebrated independent animator Anete Melece, the short is co-produced by Latvia’s Studio Locomotive and Switzerland’s Holaus Animation. Centered on a surreal premise where the sun is stolen and a flat world descends into chaos, the black-humored work explores order, greed and equality with distinct auteur style, attracting multiple international studios for co-production and acquisition talks.

3. Joint Animated Baltics Booth Facilitates Cross-Border Animation Collaboration

Continuing a long-term regional cooperation framework, Latvia partners with Estonia and Lithuania to operate the shared Animated Baltics booth (Booth F13–F16) at MIFA. The full Latvian delegation remains on-site for one-on-one business meetings, consisting of:

• Official bodies: National Film Centre of Latvia, Latvian Animation Association
• Leading local studios: Atom Art, Studio Locomotive, Sunday Rebel Films, Bivrost Film (Ego Media subsidiary)

The team connects with global distributors, co-producers and animation investors to pitch upcoming animated series and feature projects. Latvia boasts a prestigious track record at Annecy, most notably the award-winning global hit feature Flow, and leverages MIFA to turn creative IP into commercial global releases.

4. Industrial Significance & Long-Term Industry Strategy

1. Core Global Export Platform for Eastern European Animation: As the world’s premier animation trade hub, Annecy opens wide theatrical channels in Western Europe and Southeast Asia for Latvian titles. The slew of distribution agreements secured for Born in the Jungleproves local family animation holds universal cross-market appeal.
2. Regular CEE Co-Production Channels: Supported by the CEE Animation network, Latvian short and feature projects continuously partner with studios in Switzerland, Poland, the Czech Republic and beyond, lowering barriers for cross-border collaborative creation.
3. Incubation Pipeline for Young Creators: MIFA pitching sessions offer emerging Latvian directors direct access to international financiers, cultivating the next generation of local animation talent.
4. Regional Collaboration Benchmark: The joint three-nation booth model consolidates scattered animation output from small Baltic countries under a unified cultural brand, setting a replicable template for minor European animation territories expanding globally.

Access for Industry & Visitors

Professionals and festival attendees may connect with the Latvian delegation at the Animated Baltics booth F13–F16 throughout MIFA. The Latvian Animation Association has also released its full 2026 Animation Catalogue online, with social media channels updating schedules for creator meetups and industry mixers. The Annecy Festival runs June 21–27, while the MIFA market operates June 23–26.