Greetings from Fantoche Animation Film Festival, Where Swiss Animation Shines

Belgian film journalist Kévin Giraud reports from the Fantoche Animation Film Festival in Baden, Switzerland, where international and Swiss animation, industry encounters, experimental works and even thermal-pool screenings come together in a celebration of the medium.

In Baden, a small, colorful Swiss town next to Zurich, the Fantoche Film Festival animated fans, professionals and general audience alike for six days filled with captivating talks, packed screenings and deep industry discussions.

As per films, this reporter had the pleasure of discovering Forgotten Island a few hours after his very arrival. A perfect first taste of high-end animation, which set the tone for the whole event.

Maybe the most awaited feature in the festival’s non-competitive line-up, the Dreamworks animated fantasy adventure comedy film written and directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado made its Swiss premiere at Fantoche ahead of its global release on October 7. And it deserves every bit of attention, as this loving, tender story between two best friends infused in Filipino mythology will blow away both young adults, teenagers and movie fans alike. Animation buffs are set for a ride, as the film blends 2D and CG animation beautifully much like the Spider-verse franchise and Mitchell vs the Machines, as well as Dreamworks’ previous Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, as inventive, raucously funny and terrifying as this one.

In this whirlwind of fun, references and fast-paced comedy, Forgotten Island almost forgets to take a beat and let its emotional narrative make a true impact. But in the end, this amazing production still managed to rock this reporter’s world, who left the theater with a huge smile.

But Fantoche is much more than just its rich, animated feature line-up, which also included the quirky Cannes darling Blaise, as well as animated gems like We Are Aliens, Son of a Bitch and Momoko Seto’s mesmerizing Dandelion’s Odyssey.

Dozens of shorts, picked from more than 3,000 submissions, are featured in the international and Swiss competitions, as well as many side programs from niche, captivating 1950s video synthesizer experiments to heartfelt, children and eco-conscious shorts that appeal both to animation aficionados and local families.

Aquarelles, a 1980 animated 3D imagery short on techno music made by Tom DeWitt, Vibeke Sorensen, Dean Winkler, made as much an impression on this reporter as did Lost Touch, Justine Klaiber latest short, featured in the Swiss competition.

Beyond the usual festival Q&As, Fantoche teams offer daily meetups with the talents, who gather around coffee and complimentary local pastries to dive deeper into their creative process. A window into the wonderful world of making animation, with the people who make it with their heart, skill and passion.

And, to top things up and to honor the bathing tradition of this quaint city, public screenings with a hot pool are held in association with the town’s independent, non-profit association Bagni Popolari. A rare occasion to enjoy the soothing thermal waters of Baden, with an animated cherry on top.

Overall, the wide range of films presented at this year’s edition reflected not only the power of the animated medium (past and present), but also the talent of the curating teams and programmers, who crafted an inspiring, unique grand picture of modern animation worldwide. Because, as coined by the festival, hope is a word with 24 fps.

As for the future, and while Fantoche wraps up with all guests such as Oscar-nominated director Joanna Quinn, Allah is not obliged director Zaven Najjar and Aardman’s Chief Creative Director Sarah Cox returning home, one can only hope to come back again for this great gathering of artists, sharing their love for animation across the riverside, welcoming Swiss setting.

Greetings from Switzerland, or as they say in Baden, Grüezi aus der Schweiz!

Uka Uka by Estonian Henri Veermäe won the Best Short Film category, while the hilarious To Kill a Velofahrer by Helmi Korhonen, Ines Nungasser, Livio Frauendorf and Marvin Bueler took home the prize for Best Short Swiss Film, and the Audience Award of the same competition.

Kévin Giraud
Belgian freelance journalist (Cartoon Brew, Variety, Surimpressions)
Board member of the Belgian Film Press Union
Head of FIPRESCI animation subgroup

© FIPRESCI 2026