The Annecy International Animation Film Festival and MIFA (Marché International du Film d’Animation) will spotlight a diverse array of Latin american animated works at this year’s La Liga Focus. The showcase includes “Baptism,” directed by Oscar-nominated hugo Covarrubias, “carmín” from Mexican artists Los Calladitos, and Brazil’s “Pipa and Snail.”

La Liga Focus,held at the Imperial Palace during Annecy’s MIFA market,unites MIFA with Ventana Sur’s Animation!,the Quirino Awards in Canary Island Tenerife,and Mexico’s Pixelatl animation festival.

“Baptism,” marks the feature debut for Hugo Covarrubias, who received an Academy Award nomination for his animated short “Beast” in 2022. The film delves into themes of disconnection during Augusto Pinochet’s regime.

“Carmín,” a short film from Pixelatl’s Shortway strand, is the latest from Los calladitos, who have also created a mural on the façade of Annecy’s central Pathé Cinema. Silvina Cornillón, director of the Ibero-American quirino Awards and coordinator of Annecy’s La Liga Focus, noted that this is the first in a series of planned murals.

“Pipa and Snail” from Brazil’s Mesinha Amarela, stood out at animation! in Uruguay. Other titles including “Superchance,” “Baptism,” and “Hua Awakes” also received MIFA Annecy Awards to participate in La Liga Focus. Additionally, “Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way” was selected from the 2025 Animation! Mentoring Program for Female Creators.

Silvina cornillón stated, “La Liga Focus showcases the extraordinary talent and creativity of Latin American animation, combining universal themes with our region’s unique history and culture – from Chile’s dictatorship memories in stop-motion to Colombian feminist stories in mixed media to Peruvian-Chinese identity in CGI – all with diverse visual styles and strong creative identity.”

Featured animated Works

Here’s a closer look at the lineup:

“Baptism” (Hugo Covarrubias, Chile)

After losing a VHS tape of his baptism, Héctor tries to reconstruct his childhood memories during Augusto Pinochet’s dictatorship.Produced by Lucas Engel at Chile’s Pista B and France’s Vivement Lundi!, and written by Hugo Covarrubias and Alejandra Moffat, the film targets viewers 14+ and “questions the subjectivity of memory, whether the truths we cling to are shields fabricated to guard us from trauma,” according to Hugo Covarrubias.

“Carmine” (Ariadna Galaz, Mexico)

This 2D short film, directed by Ariadna Galaz of Los Calladitos, explores characters based on legends and myths. Carmín, a half-human, half-coyote girl, lives alone on an island and encounters a wounded giant coyota. The film blends adventure, coming of age, migration, and fantasy.

“Awarkens,” (“Hua’s awakening,”) (Daniel R. Chang Acat,Peru)

Cheng,a Peruvian-born Chinese teen,grapples with his identity. After a fight with his father, he is transported to an ancient Chinese village where he must battle a dark spirit. Producer Saul Anampa explains that the CGI title “brings the rarely depicted experience of the Chinese-Latin American diaspora to life, highlighting the Asian minority experience in Latin America.”

“Pipa and Snail” (Alex Ribondi & Ricardo Makoto, Brazil)

This 2D cutout animation series from Mesinha Amarela follows twins Pipa and Snail on adventures in a magical forest. Alex Ribondi notes, “It’s a series where fun and ideology go side by side.”

“Superchance” (Juan Gallo, Uruguay)

Produced by Cine HHH, this dark comedy series is set in a reality show where contestants who repress their desires are expelled, only to find freedom in losing. Producers Micaela Tcherkassky & Itatí Romero are seeking international co-production partners.

“Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way” (Sandra obando Morales/Tatiana Pinzon Salavarrieta, Colombia)

Yolanda, born with wings that are clipped by her family, spends her life trapped in a house. Her daughters eventually help her escape, allowing her to finally fly. This black comedy from Colombia’s Malpraxis Studio uses 2D, 3D, and stop-motion techniques to depict gender dynamics through allegory and magic realism.

“La Liga Focus showcases the extraordinary talent and creativity of Latin american animation.”