Do You Know Who Made Annecy 2021 Poster?

By Pickle June 15, 2021

An Explosive Colourful Paint-Party Annecy International Film Festival 2021 Poster is done by artist Jean-Charles Mbotti Malolo

After last year’s completely online 2020 edition, the Annecy Festival wanted to call on Jean-Charles Mbotti Malolo’s talents again to enjoy the same explosion of colour and energy that he released for the 2020 poster.

“I am immensely honoured to work on the poster again for the 2021 edition. I would really have loved to collaborate a second time with Simon Roussin, like last year, but he was already committed to a personal project. I felt the need to do this poster on paper, maybe to push myself to return to a more traditional art form on a daily basis, but also because screens have taken up even more place in our lives since the current health crisis began. The theme is similar to 2020, so I kept to our guideline, the pantsula, a traditional South African dance that symbolises the modern view I have of Africa,” says Jean-Charles Mbotti Malolo.

“I wanted to link this with a unique character: an older woman, independent, free and joyous, who is enjoying the sun’s rays reflecting on the lake. Last year’s Festival was online, let’s hope we can all join the pantsula dancers on the Annecy pontoons this June 2021!,” he added.

“Annecy loves supporting creators. It’s an integral part of our DNA. Jean-Charles Mbotti Malolo is a regular at Annecy and his latest film Make It Soul, presented at the 2018 Festival, summarised the festive and energetic spirit of the event. We will remember when Jean-Charles and his friends invaded the stage to dance joyously as the credits finished rolling out, carrying the spectators along for the ride. This poster is also a reminder of this magical moment that only Annecy holds the secret,” says Marcel Jean, Artistic Director, Annecy

Jean-Charles Mbotti Malolo primary passion is drawing, even if dance has always played a role in his mode of expression. He is a regular at the Festival and his short film The Sense of Touch made a notable passage at Annecy, as well as his latest film Make It Soul, which he presented in 2018 and was nominated for the 2020 César for Best Short Animation Film.

Les Mots is the first stage show choreographed by Jean-Charles – a solo for two performers – that sees the light of day in early 2017. He continues this working journey using non-verbal communication.

He is currently working on a hybrid documentary series (animation and live shots).

At Annecy 2021, Jean-Charles Mbotti Malolo joins the jury of the Contrechamp Feature Films, and you can meet him at a Signing Session of the official poster.