ESMA at the heart of the Rennes 2026 National Animation Film Festival

A not-to-be-missed festival dedicated to animated films

The RennesNational Animated Film Festival is one of the leading events in the sector in France. Every year, it brings together professionals, students, studios and enthusiasts to present a rich and demanding programme devoted entirely to animated creation in all its forms.

Screenings of short and feature-length films, previews, professional meetings, masterclasses and workshops punctuate this week dedicated to the moving image. The festival stands out for its role as a showcase for emerging talent, but also as a forum for discussion and reflection on contemporary writing in animation.

A stop motion workshop co-hosted by ESMA and JPL Films

On 8 April 2026, ESMA will be offering a paper-cut stop-motion workshop in collaboration with JPL Films, under the guidance of director Jean-Claude Rozec. Jean-Claude Rozec, a member of JPL Films, will also have one of his films screened as part of the festival, reinforcing the link between creation and transmission.

This workshop will bring together ESMA’sPrepa Entertainmentstudents and the JPL Films team to introduce participants to animated storytelling. The aim is to explore the expressive potential of stop motion through a sensitive, collective and experimental approach.

A collective, musical narrative experience

Using a musical loop as a common thread, participants will be invited to gradually create one or more shots over the course of the afternoon. This step-by-step construction will create an original, offbeat or poetic narrative, crafted by several hands.

By playing with shapes, rhythms and images, everyone will contribute to a unique collective work, where experimentation and creativity will be at the heart of the process. ESMA students will accompany the participants in this artistic exploration, encouraging the exchange and transmission of know-how.

An event not to be missed

In addition to this workshop, the Rennes National Animated Film Festival has a full programme to discover on the event’s official website.

ESMA warmly invites enthusiasts, the curious, students and professionals to come and experience this 2026 edition, to meet the players in the sector and to plunge into the richness of contemporary animated cinema.