The Annecy International Animation Film Festival is set to host a world premiere that’s sure to send ripples through the Star Wars galaxy. David Production, known for its stunning anime works, will screen its Star Wars: Visions episode, “Black,” as part of the festival’s Short Films competition. This marks a significant moment for both the studio and the Star Wars franchise, promising a unique and visually arresting take on the beloved universe.
Annecy Welcomes a Galaxy Far, Far Away
From June 8th to 14th, 2025, Annecy, France, will transform into an animation mecca, hosting the 49th edition of the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. This year is particularly special, as The Walt Disney Company is bringing together its animation powerhouses, including Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Animation, Lucasfilm, Disney Television Animation, and 20th Television Animation. This unprecedented gathering underscores the festival’s importance as a showcase for creativity and innovation in animation.
Among the highly anticipated presentations and screenings, Lucasfilm will present two significant works:
- “Black”: The world premiere of David Production’s Star Wars: Visions short, competing in the Short Films category.
- “Devotion”: An episode from Star Wars: Tales of the Empire, vying for recognition in the TV Films competition.
These selections highlight Lucasfilm’s commitment to exploring the Star Wars universe through diverse animation styles and storytelling approaches.
David Production’s “Black”: A Psychedelic Vision
“Black” is written and directed by Shinya Ohira, a legendary animator known for his work on Akira, Mind Game, and various Studio Ghibli productions. Ohira also served as the character designer, animation director, and a key animator for the short, showcasing his comprehensive artistic vision.
The episode promises to be a visually striking and thematically rich experience, plunging viewers into “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 who is on the cusp of defeat.”
This description hints at a narrative that transcends traditional Star Wars battles, delving into the psychological and emotional toll of war. The “psychedelic battle” suggests a surreal and introspective journey, potentially utilizing dreamlike imagery and symbolism to explore the trooper’s inner turmoil.
What is Star Wars: Visions?
Star Wars: Visions is an animated anthology series produced by Lucasfilm for Disney+. The series invites various animation studios from around the world to create original, self-contained short films set in or inspired by the Star Wars universe.
Each studio is given creative freedom to reimagine the Star Wars mythos, resulting in a diverse range of animation styles, cultural influences, and storytelling approaches. This anthology format allows for bold experimentation and unique interpretations of familiar themes and characters.
A Brief History of Visions
Volume 1 (2021): The first season featured nine anime short films from seven Japanese animation studios, including Kamikaze Douga, Studio Colorido, Geno Studio, Trigger, Kinema Citrus, Production I.G, and Science Saru.
Volume 2 (2023): The second season expanded the series’ global reach, featuring shorts from studios based in Japan, India, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, Chile, France, South Africa, South Korea, and the United States.
Volume 3 (2025): The upcoming third season will consist of nine short films from various studios, including David Production, Kamikaze Douga + ANIMA, Kinema Citrus Co., Polygon Pictures, Production I.G, Project Studio Q, TRIGGER, and WIT Studio.
The Vision Behind Visions
The Star Wars: Visions project is overseen by Lucasfilm’s executive team, with guidance from executive producers Jacqui Lopez, James Waugh, and Josh Rimes. Producer Kanako Shirasaki plays a key role in coordinating the production of the shorts.
The creators at each studio are encouraged to bring their unique perspectives and artistic styles to the Star Wars universe, resulting in a vibrant and diverse collection of stories. The series has been praised for its innovative approach to the franchise, offering fresh perspectives on familiar themes and characters.
Why Annecy Matters
The Annecy International Animation Film Festival is the premier event for the animation industry, attracting professionals, enthusiasts, and filmmakers from around the globe. The festival provides a platform for showcasing the latest animated works, discovering emerging talent, and celebrating the art of animation.
For Lucasfilm, presenting Star Wars: Visions at Annecy is an opportunity to:
Gain recognition for its animation efforts: The festival’s competitive environment and discerning audience provide a valuable platform for showcasing the quality and artistry of Star Wars: Visions.
Connect with the animation community: Annecy brings together a diverse range of animation professionals, offering opportunities for networking, collaboration, and learning.
Generate buzz for upcoming releases: The festival’s high profile and media coverage can help build anticipation for future Star Wars projects, including the upcoming third season of Visions.
Other Disney Animation Highlights at Annecy 2025
In addition to Lucasfilm’s presentations, The Walt Disney Company will showcase a wide range of animated content at Annecy 2025, including:
Zootopia 2: Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Chief Creative Officer Jared Bush will unveil a sneak peek of the upcoming theatrical release, directed and written by Bush.
Elio: Pixar Animation Studios will offer exclusive footage of their 2025 summer release, directed by Madeline Sharafian and Domee Shi, and produced by Mary Alice Drumm.
Eyes of Wakanda: Marvel Animation will present a world premiere screening of the first episode of this action-packed historical adventure, directed and executive produced by Todd Harris.
The Simpsons: The Simpsons creator Matt Groening, along with executive producer Matt Selman and consulting producer/animator David Silverman, will attend the festival, participating in screenings, Q&A sessions, and signing events.
These presentations and screenings demonstrate the breadth and depth of Disney’s animation offerings, showcasing its commitment to innovation, storytelling, and artistic excellence.
The Legacy of Shinya Ohira
Shinya Ohira’s involvement in “Black” adds another layer of excitement to the project. Ohira is a highly respected and influential animator, known for his distinctive style and his contributions to iconic anime films.
His work often blends realism and surrealism, creating visually arresting and emotionally resonant experiences. Ohira’s past projects include:
- Akira (1988): Key animation
- Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003): Animation sequence
- Mind Game (2004): Key animation
- Various Studio Ghibli productions: Including Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke
Ohira’s unique artistic vision and technical skills make him an ideal choice for exploring the psychological complexities of “Black.” His involvement suggests that the episode will be a visually stunning and emotionally impactful experience, pushing the boundaries of Star Wars animation.
What to Expect from “Black”
While specific plot details remain under wraps, the available information suggests that “Black” will be a departure from traditional Star Wars narratives. The focus on the “tormented psyche” of an Imperial trooper hints at a story that explores the human cost of war and the psychological impact of serving a tyrannical regime.
The “psychedelic battle” suggests a surreal and dreamlike experience, potentially utilizing abstract imagery and symbolism to convey the trooper’s inner turmoil. This could involve:
Distorted perceptions of reality: The trooper’s psychological state may be reflected in the visual representation of the battlefield, blurring the lines between reality and hallucination.
Symbolic representations of inner conflict: The battle may serve as a metaphor for the trooper’s internal struggles, with different characters and events representing conflicting emotions and desires.
Exploration of moral ambiguity: The episode may challenge viewers to question their perceptions of good and evil, blurring the lines between the light and dark sides of the Force.
The Future of Star Wars: Visions
The upcoming third season of Star Wars: Visions promises to be another exciting chapter in the anthology series. With studios from around the world contributing their unique perspectives and artistic styles, the season is sure to offer a diverse range of stories and visual experiences.
The inclusion of “Black” in the Annecy International Animation Film Festival highlights the series’ growing recognition within the animation community. As Star Wars: Visions continues to push the boundaries of the franchise, it is poised to become an increasingly important platform for showcasing innovative animation and storytelling.
Mark Your Calendars
Animation enthusiasts and Star Wars fans alike should mark their calendars for the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, running from June 8th to 14th, 2025. The world premiere of David Production’s “Black” promises to be a highlight of the festival, offering a unique and visually stunning glimpse into the Star Wars galaxy. With its innovative animation, thought-provoking themes, and legendary director, “Black” is poised to leave a lasting impression on viewers and further solidify Star Wars: Visions‘ place as a groundbreaking anthology series.
