"Into the Forest," a captivating stop-motion short film, recently garnered the prestigious Young Audience Award at the Annecy Animation Festival. This Swiss production, helmed by filmmaker Antonin Niclass, transforms the sterile environment of an animation studio into a vibrant, imaginative jungle through the ingenuity of three handcrafted monkey characters. The film delves into profound themes of belonging, the power of creative expression, and the spirit of teamwork, all while showcasing the intricate artistry of stop-motion animation.

Antonin Niclass's Award-Winning Vision at Annecy

On June 27, 2026, the acclaimed Swiss director Antonin Niclass received the Young Audience Award at the Annecy Animation Festival for his latest stop-motion masterpiece, "Into the Forest." The film, a collaborative effort between Milos-Films and Hélium Films’ studios in Lausanne, Switzerland, tells the heartwarming story of three meticulously crafted monkey puppets. These characters, through their collective creativity and resourcefulness, breathe life into an otherwise cold and uninspiring animation set, transforming it into a lush, dynamic jungle. Niclass, a distinguished alumnus of the National Film and Television School in the U.K., is no stranger to the Annecy festival, having previously showcased his works "Do Not Feed the Pigeons" (2021) and "Coup de Théâtre" (2022). "Into the Forest" marks a new direction for the filmmaker, focusing on a younger demographic while maintaining a sophisticated narrative. The film's musical landscape, meticulously crafted by sound designer Loic Kreyden and composer Fabio Amurri, evolves from mechanical, industrial rhythms to melodic, natural ambient sounds, mirroring the monkeys' journey of liberation. A notable collaboration for the film was the inclusion of Oshi, the baby orangutan puppet from Claude Barras’ "Savages" (2024), facilitated by Nadasdy Film.

Niclass's work serves as a powerful reminder that true freedom often stems from the boundless depths of imagination. The film challenges conventional notions of filmmaking, showcasing how inanimate objects can transcend their original purpose to become autonomous entities in the minds of the audience. It underscores the idea that creative endeavors, especially those involving collaboration, can lead to remarkable outcomes that benefit not only the creators but also the wider community. The journey of these charming monkeys illustrates that even in the most constrained environments, resourcefulness and a shared vision can construct an entirely new world, a testament to the transformative power of art and collective effort.