STUDIO4°C’s ChaO Wins Jury Award at Annecy Festival

ChaO, the latest original anime film by STUDIO4°C, just bagged the prestigious Jury Award (the feature film equivalent of runner-up to the Grand Prix) at the 2025 Annecy International Animation Film Festival on June 14. This marks the first time in eight years that a Japanese feature has received this honour.

Film Highlights & Director Reaction

• Directed by Yasuhiro Aoki and produced by Eiko Tanaka, ChaO blends sci-fi fantasy with heartfelt comedy, centring on a love story between a shipbuilder and a mermaid princess.

• Characterised by hand-drawn animation and experimental visuals, the film resonated deeply with festival jurors and international audiences alike.

• At the award ceremony, Aoki stood on stage with producer Tanaka and creative director Shōgo Furuya, expressing disbelief and gratitude. He said:

  “I can’t believe I’m standing here. … This is ChaO. I hope this balloon‑like character will float freely across the world.”

Yasuhiro Aoki, the director of "ChaO", speaking at the 2025 Annecy International Animated Film Festival:

• Japan Premiere: Scheduled for August 15, 2025, with a U.S. festival debut at Fantasia Film Festival in July 2025 via GKIDS distribution.

• This international acclaim—especially being the first Japanese film in eight years to win this award—cements STUDIO4°C’s status as a global animation powerhouse.

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Sources: Comic Natalie

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