Welcome the animation world’s best to France at SCAD AnimationFest Lacoste 2025
Explore the production process and enjoy the best in animation and digital media from France's breathtaking Luberon Valley at SCAD AnimationFest Lacoste. SCAD’s signature festival for all things digital media returns to the university’s idyllic study abroad location for a fourth year, welcoming students, honored guests, and industry professionals for two days of screenings and presentations on the future of animated entertainment.
Friday, April 4
4:30 p.m.
SCAD Student Animation Showcase
Theatre du SCAD
The world’s only animation studio at a university, SCAD Animation Studios places students at the helm of short-film productions as they innovate within the medium, exploring inventive new techniques and developing creative problem-solving agility. As the premier animation studio in higher education, SCAD Animation Studios proudly presents its annual showcase featuring the best of SCAD student work. More than 600 current students and recent alumni from SCAD’s top-ranked degree programs have contributed to this year’s slate of creative shorts.
Films: Skater Girl, Kitty, Dahlia, Birdland, Have You Eaten, Persimmon Red, MenHeim Clinic, Above the Clouds, Animus, Cliff & Fishes, For Such a Time, Harbor, Le Charade, Nainai's Recipe, Overcast, Pretty Kitty, Teaser Trailer, ‘Chelita, Como me Duele Quererte,’ Time Flies
8 p.m.
Special Screening: Flow
Latvia | 85 min.
Theatre du SCAD
A wondrous journey through realms natural and mystical, the Academy Award-winning Flow follows a courageous cat after his home is devastated by a great flood. Teaming with a capybara, a lemur, a bird, and a dog to navigate a boat in search of dry land, the cat and his companions must rely on trust, courage, and wits to survive the perils of a newly aquatic planet. Directed and co-written by Gints Zibalodis, the critically acclaimed Flow won Latvia’s first Oscar and Golden Globe Award in 2025.
The screening is followed by an In Conversation event with Flow distribution manager Luigi Loy.
Saturday, April 5
2:30 p.m.
Best of Annecy 2024
Theatre du SCAD
The Best of Annecy showcases the most outstanding and innovative short films from the renowned Annecy International Animation Film Festival. This curated collection of the festival’s 2024 films highlights the global diversity and creative excellence of the animation industry, bringing together a variety of styles, techniques, and storytelling approaches. These films explore complex themes, provoke thought, and deliver powerful emotional experiences all within the rich and vibrant medium of animation. Whether through traditional hand-drawn techniques, cutting-edge 3D animation, or experimental styles, the Best of Annecy offers a captivating glimpse into the future of animation, celebrating both emerging talents and established visionaries.
Films: Afterparty, The Car That Came Back from the Sea, Carrotica, [S], Beautiful Men, Butterfly, Hurikán
4:30 p.m.
The Wonderful World of Concept Design with Alfred Lee
Theatre du SCAD
Join us for an inspiring and insightful presentation by talented Disney Imagineer and SCAD alum Alfred Lee (B.F.A., illustration, 2014), who will take you behind the scenes of the creative process at one of the most iconic entertainment companies in the world. As a seasoned concept designer, Lee has worked on some of Disney's most beloved attractions and experiences, helping to bring imaginative worlds to life.
In this session, you'll get a glimpse into the incredible world of concept design, where art, storytelling, and innovation come together. Lee will share his unique perspective on what it means to craft immersive environments, characters, and experiences that captivate audiences and transport them into magical realms. From the initial sketches to the final design, attendees will learn about the collaboration, vision, and technical skills that go into designing some of the most recognizable Disney landmarks and stories.
A senior concept designer with Walt Disney Imagineering, Lee has 11 years of experience creating immersive theme park environments, including Hong Kong Disneyland’s recent World of Frozen expansion. After initially studying law, Lee decided to pivot and pursue a degree in art and design. While a SCAD student, he won the Disney ImagiNations Competition, which provided a launchpad for him to join the company after graduation. Lee is currently based in France, where he is working on an expansion project at Disneyland Paris.
8 p.m.
Special Screening: Despicable Me 4
USA | 94 min.
Theatre du SCAD
In the fourth installment of Illumination’s blockbuster Despicable Me franchise, Gru, Lucy, Margo, Edith, and Agnes welcome a new member to the family, Gru Jr., who is intent on tormenting his dad. When Gru faces a new nemesis in Maxime Le Mal and his girlfriend Valentina, the family is forced to go on the run.
The screening is followed by an In Conversation event with CG supervisor Boris Jacq.