Animated feature film In Waves, directed by Phuong Mai Nguyen, made its international premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), according to reports by Animation Magazine. Adapted from AJ Dungo’s graphic novel memoir, the project explores Southern California surf culture and enduring love. Netflix scheduled the film for a limited theatrical release on November 27, ahead of a global streaming release on December 11.
TIFF Premiere and Creative Team
The TIFF screening drew key members of the production and studio teams. According to Netflix, attendees at the festival included director Phuong Mai Nguyen, voice actors and executive producers Will Sharpe and Stephanie Hsu, producers Prisca Bertin and Nick Shumaker, Netflix Film Chairman Dan Lin, Netflix Animation Studio Head Hannah Minghella, and Kara Speller, Senior Vice President of Content and Production at Netflix Animation Studio.
The film is an adaptation of AJ Dungo’s illustrated memoir. The screenplay was written by Fanny Burdino and Samuel Douix. Anonymous Content executives Johan Comte, Carol Baraton, Pierre Mazars, and David Levine served as executive producers, while Bertin, Judith Nora of Silex Films, and Shumaker produced the feature.
Release Schedule and Distribution
Netflix positioned the animated drama for the awards season following previous festival appearances. The film previously opened the Critics’ Week (Semaine de la Critique) at the Cannes Film Festival and screened as an official selection at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, per Animation Magazine.
Following its festival run, the platform set a theatrical rollout in select cinemas on November 27, followed by its digital debut on Netflix on December 11. Alongside the TIFF premiere, Netflix released a promotional clip highlighting the romantic and surf-centric elements of the Southern California setting.
Production Background
In Waves adapts a graphic novel. The story explores the joy of finding true love, the courage to live life to the fullest, and the power of eternal love.
The film’s voice cast features Will Sharpe and Stephanie Hsu, who also hold executive producer roles. Production duties were split between Silex Films and Anonymous Content, bringing together creative oversight for the animated adaptation.