The selection places Singaporean animation on the global stage for the first time in the festival’s 65-year history
The Violinist, a hand-drawn animated film, has been selected for the prestigious Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2026, marking the first time a Singaporean-produced animated film has appeared in the festival’s 65-year history.
The film will make its world premiere at the festival – widely regarded as the ‘Cannes of Animation’ – which runs from 21 to 27 June 2026, ahead of a planned international theatrical release, with discussions underway with distribution partners in key territories including Singapore.
The Violinist is set against the backdrop of Singapore and Malaya during the 20th century, including the Japanese occupation. It follows the lives of two childhood friends whose lives are shaped and separated by war, time and circumstance. Bound by music, their shared journey unfolds across decades, tracing a story of love, loss and the enduring power of memory.
In a collaboration between Singapore, Spain and Italy, The Violinist is produced by Singapore’s Robot Playground Media along with Spain’s TV ON Producciones and Italy’s Altri Occhi.
The film’s original score is led by Golden Horse Award-winning Singaporean composer Ricky Ho, in collaboration with Spanish composer Isabel Latorre. The film features lead violin performances recorded by Singaporean violinist Joy Yong.
Ervin Han, co-director and co-writer, commented: ’This project has taken more than a decade to realise. It grew out of a short film we made in 2015 for SG50, and over the years evolved into something far more ambitious - both in scale and in what it wants to say about Singapore’s past.’
Han reflected on the significance of presenting a Singapore-led animated project on the global stage: ’To have The Violinist selected for Annecy’s Main Competition is incredibly meaningful. It’s not just recognition of the film, but of what our team has built from Singapore - working across countries and cultures, and in close collaboration with our co-producers in Spain and Italy, as well as the many partners around the globe who helped bring this film to life.
’We’re extremely proud to bring a Singapore story onto this stage, and to see it recognised at this level.’
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