The identity of independent animation

At global film awards ceremonies, studios like Disney and Pixar consistently dominate the important animation categories. However, for the past two years, animated films from independent studios have gradually gained popularity and have appeared regularly in nomination and winning lists.

The animated film “Arco” (pictured) by Remembers, and “Little Amélie or the Character of Rain” by Ikki Films and Maybe Movies are currently two of the most talked-about films in this year's international film awards season. Both are nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 2026 Oscars, alongside films from industry giants Disney, Pixar, and Netflix. Critics expect “Arco” and “Little Amélie or the Character of Rain” to achieve similar success to “Flow” which won an Oscar in 2025. This is because both “Arco” and “Little Amélie or the Character of Rain” have made significant strides in their audience engagement and award-winning journeys.

Nidia Santiago, CEO of Ikki Films, stated, "Independent films like ours need to make a mark at film festivals." Indeed, "Arco" and "Little Amélie or the Character of Rain," upon their premiere at the 2025 Cannes International Film Festival, were quickly acquired for distribution. "Arco" subsequently won Best Independent Film at the 2026 Annie Awards.

“Arco” is the debut film of Remembers, a company founded in 2018 by Ugo Bienvenu and Félix de Givry. Prior to this, they only produced commercials. Similarly, “Little Amélie or the Character of Rain” is the first animated film by Ikki Films, a company with experience in producing short films. Nidia Santiago added: “Our short films sell well in many countries, allowing us to continue producing and developing other projects.”

Unlike large companies with ample funding, independent film studios often have limited production budgets. Most films are produced using funds from smaller projects within the company. For example, Remembers made short films for luxury brands like Chanel and Hermès to fund "Arco." Filmmaker Ugo Bienvenu stated, "Our goal isn't to become a big studio. We just want to make good films with stories." Producer Félix de Givry shared a similar sentiment: "We always strive to maintain Remembers as a company run by people passionate about the craft, prioritizing creativity."

Henri Magalon, CEO and producer of Maybe Movies, also stated: “We want to keep things small. We don’t have financial ties to any studios, which allows us flexibility. If we need a 3D studio, or want to co-produce in Europe, that’s possible. While there are financial challenges, collaborating so that all parties achieve their own goals leads to better performance.” In fact, Remembers, Ikki Films, and Maybe Movies all have small core teams and flexible working methods, able to expand or contract depending on project requirements. Nidia Santiago explains: “Depending on the project, we look for specific studios. Or we directly hire freelance filmmakers who have unique creative techniques. Our structure gives us a lot of freedom. We can work on quirky subjects and films we love in our own ways without being dependent on investors.” Henri Magalon and Nidia Santiago both believe that a smaller budget means more artistic freedom, which will produce better films. This also allows independent animation to have a very distinct, unique identity that appeals to audiences.

BAO LAM (Compiled)

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/ban-sac-cua-phim-hoat-hinh-doc-lap-a199245.html