Annecy, France – Protesters gathered outside the CITIA headquarters this Thursday, November 27, coinciding with the organization’s board of directors meeting, too demand Israel‘s exclusion from the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival. The demonstration centers on concerns over Israel’s actions in Gaza, with activists drawing parallels to Russia’s exclusion from the 2025 festival following its invasion of Ukraine.
The protest focuses on the planned participation of Israel in MIFA, the festival’s international animated film market. Activists argue that allowing Israel to participate while its military operations continue constitutes complicity. The Annecy International Animation Film Festival is a globally recognized event, attracting industry professionals and enthusiasts from around the world, and has become a focal point for political expression.
fabienne Grébert, an Annecy city council member and CITIA board member, was present at the rally. She is a signatory to a platform titled “No animated film festival in Annecy for a genocidal state”, which has garnered support from numerous elected officials and citizens.
CITIA officials declined a request to meet with a delegation from the protest group, citing instructions from the french government as the reason for the refusal.
Roland Fichet, a member of the association “France Palestine Solidarity,” stated: “we will continue our denunciation actions ahead of June 2026, the date of the festival.”
