The second annual Loop animation professional event is taking place in Avignon from Tuesday, October 13 to Thursday, October 15, 2026, bringing together 150 accredited industry professionals across six venues, echodumardi.com reported. Founded by the team behind the Frames festival, the gathering connects studios, production companies, broadcasters, and emerging talents to address industry financing, cross-platform distribution, and emerging creative methods.
Expanding Industry Attendance in Avignon
Participation at Loop has more than doubled since its inaugural run. Organizers capped the accreditation list at 150 participants for 2026, up from 70 professionals who attended the first iteration, with more than half representing studios and production companies. Jacques Bled, president of Illumination Studios Paris and known for his work on the Minions franchise, served as the patron for the 2025 event, noting that the gathering strengthens regional and national dialogue around animation. The 2026 edition is co-sponsored by producer Sarah Delmas of Folivari and digital creator David Mirailles.
The program breaks away from traditional single-medium silos. Organizers designed the sessions to intersect across film, video games, documentaries, virtual reality, and social media platforms. Panelists and workshop leaders examine shifting economic models, audience engagement, and production workflows during three days of targeted industry discussions.
Public Screenings and Masterclasses
While industry sessions anchor at the Villa Créative, public events extend across Avignon and surrounding areas, including Utopia Manutention, Utopia République, Théâtre du Chêne Noir, Ciné Vox, and Capitole my Cinewest in Le Pontet.
Special public highlights include a tribute evening dedicated to 1980s animated series featuring a karaoke and blind test session, alongside a live concert by French harpist Cécile Corbel, who composed the musical score for Studio Ghibli’s Arrietty. Advance registration is required for free screenings, while select preview screenings operate through standard theater ticketing.
Chronology of Event Programming
- The evening features an avant-garde screening of Carmen, l’oiseau rebelle at Utopia Manutention.
- Wednesday, October 14, 2026: Day two highlights include panels on developing YouTube channels, cross-media cultural mediation, pitching for the “Raconter le réel en animation” initiative, and exploring the integration of video game tools in animation production. Evening events include a professional networking session and an 80s cartoon themed night at Le Delirium.
- Thursday, October 15, 2026: The final day centers on the inaugural “Nouveaux Regards” short film competition. Screenings take place at Utopia République, followed by afternoon sessions discussing alternative financing, working with disabilities in studios, and a performance by Cécile Corbel at Théâtre du Chêne Noir.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Nouveaux Regards competition?
The newly launched competition showcases short films created in France by early-career creators and independent artists. A professional jury evaluates approximately fifteen selected projects from roughly 70 submissions, awarding four distinct prizes during a closing ceremony on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at the Villa Créative.
Which venues host the public events?
Public masterclasses, screenings, and cultural events take place across multiple locations in the Avignon area, including the Villa Créative, Utopia Manutention, Utopia République, Théâtre du Chêne Noir, Ciné Vox, and Capitole my Cinewest in Le Pontet.
How many professionals are accredited for the 2026 edition?
Organizers have limited accreditation to 150 industry professionals to maintain productive working groups, representing more than double the attendance recorded at the event’s first edition.
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