DreamWorks Animation will present an exclusive special presentation of its latest animated feature, “The Bad Guys 2” at the Annecy International Film Festival. on June 11.
The film’s director Pierre Perifel, producer Damon Ross, co-director JP Sans and composer Daniel Pemberton, will offer audiences a first look at the film’s development, artistic evolution, and what’s next for the beloved crew of animal outlaws. The preview footage will be shown at the Bonlieu, Petite Salle.
“The Bad Guys 2” is scheduled to be released on Aug. 1.
In addition, the studio behind “How to Train Your Dragon” will also host masterclasses and special screenings. As part of that, “The Wild Robot” director Chris Sanders will be presenting a masterclass. “The Wild Robot” returns to Annecy for a special outdoor screening and will show as part of the festival’s open-air programming at Le Paquier Park.
“At DreamWorks, we’re committed to telling stories that showcase the creativity and originality of our filmmakers,” DreamWorks Animation President Margie Cohn says. “We take pride in fostering an environment where artists are encouraged to take risks and explore new approaches to storytelling. Annecy has always been a celebration of that spirit, and we’re honored to return this year to share our latest work with the global animation community.”
This year’s presentations reflect the studio’s ongoing momentum under the leadership of Cohn, combining celebrated franchise storytelling with bold original visions. The studio arrives at Annecy following an extraordinary streak of three consecutive No. 1 openings at the box office in under a year with “Kung Fu Panda 4,” “The Wild Robot” and “Dog Man.”
Sanders’ Masterclass will be held on June 12 at the MIFA Campus. In this featured spotlight, Sanders will reflect on his multi-decade impact on the animation landscape, his creative process and his return to DreamWorks Animation. Sanders will also serve on the festival’s official short films jury, marking his continued involvement with the festival following his Annecy debut in 2024.
“The Wild Robot” screening will be introduced by Sanders, and follows the film’s rapturous reception at last year’s festival, where Sanders debuted early footage to two standing ovations. Since its September 2024 release, “The Wild Robot” has gone on to win more than 85 industry awards, including nine Annie Awards, the Critics Choice Award for best animated feature and the Producers Guild of America Award for outstanding animated theatrical motion picture. The screening marks a full-circle celebration of the film’s success and Sanders’ triumphant return to the studio after more than a decade.
DreamWorks Animation’s upcoming slate continues to reflect the studio’s commitment to inventive storytelling and franchise reinvention and includes “Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie” due to be released on Sept. 26. The studio will release “Forgotten Island” on September 25, 2026, an original adventure from the team behind “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.”
As previously announced, “Shrek 5” will be released on December 23, 2026.
