ESMA, official partner of Utopiales 2025

Les Utopiales, a natural alliance with ESMA

Created in 2000, Les Utopiales has become Europe’s biggest festival devoted to science fiction in all its forms: literature, cinema, visual arts, video games, comics, conferences and exhibitions. Each edition attracts more than 60,000 visitors, with a rich programme featuring visionary researchers, authors and artists.

ESMA has a long-standing association with the festival. The collaboration is based on an obvious affinity: through their graduation films, the school’s students also explore new worlds, imagining stories that question reality and push back the frontiers of the possible. By joining forces with Les Utopiales, ESMA is reaffirming its commitment to the creation of powerful visual narratives, in which technology is put at the service of emotion and reflection.

Round table: getting to the heart of the creation of a 3D animated film

On Thursday 30 October at 11.45am, in the Hyperion room (Cité des Congrès, Nantes), Utopiales will be hosting an exceptional round table dedicated to the behind-the-scenes creation of a 3D animated film.

The student directors of the films Voyous and Jun (graduation films 2025) will be sharing their experiences, from the initial graphic research to the screening of their finished work. The public will discover how a film is created at ESMA: from scriptwriting to aesthetic choices, from character design to direction, including visual effects and sound design.

This meeting will be an opportunity to talk directly with the young creators of tomorrow, to understand their artistic approach and the technical challenges involved in making a short animated film at the end of their studies.

Focus on the films Voyous and Jun

Thugs

During the summer holidays, in a modest neighbourhood, Charlo and Ficello, two budding hoodlums, dream of entering the neighbouring skatepark, guarded by the dreaded skate gang. To impress their elders, they have to rise to the occasion… until they find themselves stuck with Miel, Charlo’s little sister, whom they have to keep an unwilling eye on.

Jun

In South Korea, Minhyuk, a seriously ill former soldier, has to give up his two daughters, Jun and Hyuna, for adoption. Five years later, Jun still hasn’t forgiven the separation imposed by her grandfather. As she tries to escape her new life, a mysterious aquatic creature appears and turns her destiny upside down.

Special screening: six ESMA short films in the spotlight

On Friday 31 October at 10.45am, still in the Hyperion room, the public will be able to discover a selection of six emblematic short films made by ESMA students:

• Swing to the Moon
• A Cookie’s Adventure
• The Secret of Mona Lisa
• All About Area 51
• Eastern
• Flipou

This screening will highlight the diversity of visual and narrative worlds that characterise the school’s student productions: comedy, adventure, science fiction, emotion… A vibrant panorama of the talent and imagination of the young artists trained at ESMA.

An event not to be missed

Whether you’re a science fiction fan, an animation enthusiast or simply curious to discover the talents of tomorrow, Utopiales 2025 is an invitation to dream, think and create differently.

Where? Nantes Convention Centre
When? From 30 October to 3 November 2025

Not to be missed:

• Round table “Creating a 3D animated film” – Thursday 30 October, 11.45am, Hyperion room
  
• Special screening of ESMA short films – Friday 31 October, 10.45am, Hyperion room

Discover the full Utopiales programme here!

Tickets to be won on ESMA’s Instagram account

To enable all enthusiasts to enjoy this exceptional event, ESMA is giving away tickets for Utopiales 2025!
From 23 October, visit ESMA’s official Instagram account to try your luck. Follow the instructions on the dedicated post, enter the draw, and you too can enjoy this unique experience at the heart of science fiction and visual creation.

ESMA is proud to support Utopiales in this exploration of the imaginary and to give a voice to those who are already shaping the images of the future.