Annecy Defends Hisko Hulsing After AI Protest Disrupts 'Danse Macabre' Premiere

Annecy Film Festival's artistic director publicly condemned protests that disrupted the premiere of Hisko Hulsing's 'Danse Macabre,' which drew demonstrations over its use of AI-generated artwork. The festival's defence of the film signals a growing institutional willingness to stand behind AI-assisted work even as industry opposition intensifies.

The incident has reignited debate within the animation community over the legitimacy of AI-generated imagery in festival-circuit films. Hulsing addressed the controversy and its aftermath in a conversation following the disruption, underscoring the increasingly fraught terrain animators and festivals must navigate as generative tools become more prevalent in production.