The Annecy International Animation Film Festival is set to screen “Black,” an episode from Star Wars: Visions Volume 3, created by David Production. This marks a significant event for both Star Wars fans and animation enthusiasts, as the festival will offer an early look at one of the highly anticipated shorts from the latest installment of the anthology series.
Annecy’s Animation Spotlight
The Annecy International Animation Film Festival, held annually in Annecy, France, is a prestigious event dedicated to showcasing the best in animation from around the globe. Scheduled from June 8 to June 14, 2025, the festival will feature a diverse range of screenings, previews, and presentations. Among the highlights is the inclusion of “Black” from Star Wars: Visions Volume 3 in its official selection for the 2025 competition.
David Production’s “Black”: A Psychedelic Journey
“Black” is directed and written by Shinya Ōhira and produced by Tsutomu Fujio at David Production. The short promises a visually stunning and narratively rich experience. According to official descriptions, “Black” presents a psychedelic battle between past and present, light and dark, and life and death. This conflict unfolds within the haunted psyche of an Imperial trooper on the verge of defeat.
Ōhira’s involvement extends beyond directing and writing; he also served as the character designer, animation director, and a key animator for the episode. His extensive involvement suggests a deeply personal and artistic touch, promising a unique vision within the Star Wars universe.
Star Wars: Visions Volume 3: A Global Anime Celebration
Star Wars: Visions is an anthology series that offers a fresh perspective on the Star Wars universe through the lens of various animation studios. Volume 3 features nine animated shorts from nine different animation studios in Japan. This volume includes both returning studios from the first season and new studios.
The studios involved in Volume 3 are:
- ANIMA (in co-production with Kamikaze Douga)
- david production
- Kamikaze Douga
- Kinema Citrus
- Polygon Pictures
- Production I.G
- Project Studio Q
- TRIGGER
- Wit Studio
Star Wars: Visions Volume 3 is set to debut on Disney+ on October 29, 2025.
Episode Overviews
Each episode offers a unique narrative and visual style:
- “BLACK” (david production): Directed by Shinya Ohira, this short delves into the mind of an Imperial trooper, presenting a battle of opposing forces within his psyche.
- “The Duel: Payback” (Kamikaze Douga + ANIMA): Directed by Takanobu Mizuno, Ronin confronts a twisted Jedi known as the Grand Master with the help of unexpected allies.
- “The Lost Ones” (Kinema Citrus): Directed by Hitoshi Haga, an incognito F assists refugees and must face her past when their ship is intercepted by the Empire.
- “Yuko’s Treasure” (Kinema Citrus): Directed by Masaki Tachibana, a sheltered orphan teams up with a street rat to rescue a droid caregiver and find lost treasure.
- “The Bird of Paradise” (Polygon Pictures): Directed by Tadahiro Yoshihira, a blinded Jedi Padawan undergoes spiritual trials to resist the Dark Side.
- “The Ninth Jedi: Child of Hope” (Production I.G): Directed by Naoyoshi Shiotani, Kara encounters a mysterious droid on an abandoned ship while being pursued by Jedi Hunters.
- “The Song of Four Wings” (Project Studio Q): Directed by Hiroyasu Kobayashi, a princess-turned-rebel protects a child from the Empire on a snowbound planet.
- “The Smuggler” (TRIGGER): Directed by Masahiko Otsuka, a smuggler takes on a job to bring a young prince to safety as the Empire pursues.
- “The Bounty Hunter” (WIT Studio): Details for this short are yet to be fully revealed, adding to the anticipation.
Voices Behind the Characters
The original language cast includes Ami Maeshima, Yasuko Hatori, Takako Honda, Yume Miyamoto, Makoto Koichi, and Chinatsu Akasaki. The English dub features George Takei, Sonoya Mizuno, Nick Kishiyama, Lincoln Bonilla, Jimmie Yamaguchi, Mike Bodie, and Stephanie Hsu.
Disney’s Animation Powerhouse at Annecy
For the first time, Walt Disney Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Animation, Lucasfilm, Disney Television Animation, and 20th Television Animation will unite at Annecy. This collective presence underscores Disney’s commitment to animation.
The festival will host appearances, Q&A sessions, and previews from studio leaders such as Pete Docter (Pixar Animation Studios’ Chief Creative Officer) and Jared Bush (Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Chief Creative Officer). Special honorees include Disney Animation director Ron Clements ( The Little Mermaid, Aladdin) and The Simpsons creator Matt Groening.
Attendees will also get behind-the-scenes insights into upcoming titles like Zootopia 2, Elio, Eyes of Wakanda, and The Simpsons. Lucasfilm will present exclusive screenings of Star Wars: Visions and Star Wars: Tales of the Empire.
Other Annecy Highlights
Besides “Black,” Annecy will showcase other notable animated works:
- “Devotion” from Star Wars: Tales of the Empire: This episode, created by Dave Filoni and directed by Saul Ruiz, follows Barriss Offee’s induction into the New Galactic Empire’s Inquisitors.
- Zootopia 2: A sneak peek of the upcoming film, directed by Jared Bush and Byron Howard, will be presented.
- Elio: Pixar’s new feature, where a boy is mistaken as Earth’s leader, will also be screened.
- The Simpsons: Matt Groening, Matt Selman, and David Silverman will offer insights into the show’s creation and impact.
- Animal Farm: Andy Serkis’s adaptation of George Orwell’s novel will be screened.
- Maya, Give Me Another Title: Michel Gondry’s film, with Gondry receiving an Honorary Cristal Award.
- Fixed: Genndy Tartakovsky’s R-rated film.
- The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants: The new feature from Paramount Animation.
- GOAT: Sony Pictures Animation’s animated basketball comedy.
- Bad Guys 2: DreamWorks Animation will feature this sequel.
- The Cat in the Hat: Warner Bros. Studios Animation will preview this.
Annecy 2025: A Premier Animation Event
The 2025 Annecy International Animation Film Festival promises to be a landmark event, bringing together animation studios and creators. The screening of David Production’s “Black” is a notable inclusion in the festival’s official selection, offering attendees a glimpse into the creative storytelling of Star Wars: Visions Volume 3.
As the festival approaches, anticipation builds for the premiere of “Black” and the broader celebration of animation at Annecy 2025. The event is set to inspire and captivate audiences, highlighting the innovation and artistry within the animation industry.
