Singapore-produced animated feature The Violinist is set to make history after being selected for the main competition at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2026 — widely regarded as the “Cannes of animation.”
The milestone marks the first time a Singapore-produced animated feature has entered Annecy’s official competition in the festival’s 65-year history, placing the film on one of the most prestigious global stages for animation.
Set across Singapore and other parts of Malaya throughout the 20th century, The Violinist traces the life of Fei, a musically gifted Peranakan girl navigating a turbulent era. Spanning colonial rule, the Japanese occupation, and the post-war years, the story follows Fei’s journey into adulthood as she becomes an accomplished violinist, while searching for her childhood friend Kai — a fellow musician who vanished after joining the resistance.
At its core, the film explores themes of memory, loss and resilience, anchored by music as its emotional throughline.
The project is co-directed by Singaporean filmmaker Ervin Han and Spanish animation veteran Raul García, whose credits include Disney classics such as Aladdin and The Lion King. Voice talent includes Tan Kheng Hua as the older Fei and Fang Rong as her younger counterpart, alongside Adrian Pang and Ayden Sng.
Produced by Singapore-based Robot Playground Media — co-founded by Han — the film is an international collaboration with Spain’s TV ON Producciones and Italy’s Altri Occhi, and is supported by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA).
The wider creative team features notable names including composer Ricky Ho (A Chinese Ghost Story, 12 Lotus), violinist Joy Yong as the film’s lead instrumentalist, and producer Leonard Lai (Ah Boys To Men, Long Long Time Ago).
In a press statement, Han emphasised the film’s grounding in lived history and collective memory.
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“At its heart, the film is about memory shaped by the experiences of those who lived through pivotal moments in our past, particularly during the war and its aftermath,” he said.
“Music plays a central role in this storytelling. The violin became a powerful symbol of continuity. Through music, the film connects past and present, reflecting the enduring spirit of individuals who lived through periods of great uncertainty and transformation.
“While the story is rooted in Singapore, it also reflects the broader histories of Southeast Asia, shaped by shared experiences of colonialism, war and rebuilding.”
Han also highlighted the importance of cross-border collaboration in bringing the project to life, expressing hope that The Violinist will deepen global appreciation for Singaporean storytelling.
The Violinist will premiere at Annecy in June 2026, ahead of an international theatrical rollout and its Singapore debut scheduled for August 2026.
