French Animation at the 2026 Oscars:

Arco and Butterfly

Animation First presents an unmissable opportunity to hear from the directors of two of the buzziest nominees this award season! Join two 2026 Oscar-nominated French directors Ugo Bienvenu (Arco) and Florence Miailhe (Butterfly) for a screening of their films, followed by a talkback.

Followed by a Q&A with Ugo Bienvenu and Florence Miailhe

Butterfly (Papillon)

Florence Miailhe, 2024, 15min, DCP
No dialogue

Nominee, Best Animated Short – 2026 Academy Awards

“It is a prime example of how animation can transform how we see true life events…” – The Contending
“Miailhe gives the audience a heartfelt glimpse at Nakache’s life” – Deadline

In the sea, a man swims. As he does, memories come to the surface. From his early childhood to his life as a man, all his memories are linked to water. Some are happy, some glorious, some traumatic.

Arco

Ugo Bienvenu, 2025, 88min, DCP
Starring Oscar Tresanini, Margot Ringard Oldra, Alma Jodorowsky, Swann Arlaud, Vincent Macaigne, Louis Garrel, Oxmo Puccino

Nominee, Best Animated Feature – 2026 Academy Awards

“The best animated film of the year” – Collider
“Truly Tender. One of the best animated films of the year. Feels utterly of this moment.” – Maya Phillips, The New York Times

In 2075, Iris, a 10-year-old girl, sees a mysterious boy in a rainbow suit fall from the sky. It’s Arco. Iris will take him in and help him by any means possible to get home.

A NEON release