Canine Capers and Family Legacies: "Dog My Cats!" Poised to Charm Audiences at Cannes Marché du Film

Cannes, France – May 15, 2026 – The prestigious Cannes Marché du Film is transforming into a vibrant hub for the global animation community this weekend, with the highly anticipated Annecy Animation Showcase taking center stage. Among the diverse slate of projects, a standout French artistic endeavor, "Dog My Cats!", is generating significant buzz. This charming 2D animated feature, helmed by Oscar-nominated director Alain Gagnol and featuring the artistic direction of acclaimed illustrator and comic book author Lilas Cognet, promises a heartwarming narrative interwoven with mystery, family secrets, and a unique touch of interspecies communication.

The film’s presence at the showcase marks a significant moment for both its creative team and the broader animation landscape. "Dog My Cats!" is not just another animated offering; it represents a fresh creative partnership born from a shared passion for the art and craft of animation, poised to captivate audiences with its distinctive visual style and engaging storytelling.

A New Creative Alliance: From Retirement to Renaissance Animation

The genesis of "Dog My Cats!" can be traced back to a pivotal moment in the French animation scene. In 2023, at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, Jean-Loup Felicioli, a long-time collaborator and esteemed animator alongside Alain Gagnol, announced his impending retirement. This transition prompted Gagnol to seek a new artistic partner to help translate his imaginative stories into the visual medium of animation.

"After Jean-Loup’s decision, I had to find another person to help me bring my stories to animation," Gagnol explained in an exclusive interview with Cartoon Brew. "Graphic design is not my strong suit, and I wanted to find someone with a distinct style. What I do love about animation is the craft, the tinkering. In a way, animation is very close to early cinema."

Gagnol, a self-proclaimed history buff and avid reader of graphic novels, soon encountered Lilas Cognet’s work, particularly her graphic novel "Bob Denard." He was struck by her unique artistic sensibility and recognized a kindred spirit in her approach to visual storytelling. Upon reaching out, Gagnol discovered that Cognet shared his profound appreciation for animation as both an art form and a meticulous craft. This mutual understanding laid the foundation for their collaboration.

Lilas Cognet, who also teaches at the esteemed Émile Cohl school in Paris, where Gagnol is also an instructor, expressed her delight at the unexpected collaboration. "I loved ‘A Cat in Paris,’ so I was truly happy when Alain contacted me," Cognet recalled. "In truth, we had already met several times in the corridors of the Émile Cohl school, as we both teach there, but as two introverts, we hadn’t really talked before." This serendipitous connection, forged through shared artistic spaces and a mutual admiration, quickly blossomed into a powerful creative synergy.

Jérôme Duc-Maugé, the producer of Gagnol’s previous critically acclaimed film, "Nina and the Hedgehog’s Secret," also expressed his enthusiasm for working with this new creative duo. "In fact, we already started thinking about this project as we were wrapping up ‘Nina’," Duc-Maugé shared. "Both Alain and I wanted to explore a more comedic tone with this new film while still telling the story from a child’s point of view." This shared ambition to inject a lighter, more humorous touch while maintaining a child-centric perspective has been a guiding principle throughout the development of "Dog My Cats!".

The Narrative Unfolds: A Grandmother’s Quest and a Hidden Legacy

"Dog My Cats!" centers on the lives of two siblings, Jules and Lola, whose seemingly ordinary existence is dramatically upended by the arrival of their eccentric grandmother. Their world takes a turn for the extraordinary when they are drawn into her mysterious quest to find a missing teenager. As the grandmother enlists the children’s help on her peculiar journey, the narrative gradually unfolds, revealing a hidden family legacy that has been long obscured. Adding a whimsical layer to the adventure, the grandmother possesses the remarkable ability to communicate with both cats and dogs, a unique trait that promises to inject humor and unexpected plot developments into the story.

The film’s narrative structure is described as a blend of the road movie genre, allowing for exploration of various settings and encounters, interwoven with elements of mystery and discovery. This approach provides ample opportunity for visual storytelling and character development, all viewed through the innocent yet perceptive lens of its young protagonists.

The Artistic Process: Layers of Imagination and Collaborative Craft

For Lilas Cognet, the transition from creating static illustrations to contributing to an animated feature has been a journey of continuous learning and artistic growth. "It’s a discovery with every step, and I find it truly enriching," she commented. "Conceiving animation is very different from building an image, as I have to think in layers instead of drawing the entire illustration at the same time. It’s a very different path to achieving a complete work, but it’s one I enjoy a lot."

Cognet, accustomed to the solitary nature of drawing, has found immense value in the collaborative environment of an animated production. "Sometimes, it’s hard to find motivation alone," she admitted. "But having this team with me has been a great experience so far." This emphasis on community and shared creative energy underscores a key aspect of animated filmmaking, where the collective effort of numerous artists brings a vision to life.

The production team has meticulously crafted a workflow designed to translate Cognet’s distinctive artistic style into the animated realm. Cognet produced approximately 150 reference drawings, meticulously rendered on MBM Arches paper using a sable-hair brush, watercolor ink, and fine black pencil lines. These foundational pieces then served as the blueprint for the digital adaptation, primarily executed using Photoshop, TVPaint, and After Effects. The team has also incorporated select 3D elements and 2D-style visual effects to enhance the visual richness of the film.

"With Lilas, every frame is a painting," Duc-Maugé enthusiastically stated, quoting Gagnol. "She has a knack for lighting, framing, and building an atmosphere between realism and dreamscape ambiance. Our first challenge was to match this level of work in our production values, find the right tools, and bring Lilas’ style to life." This dedication to preserving and translating Cognet’s unique aesthetic highlights the film’s commitment to artistic integrity.

A Star-Studded French Voice Cast

The film’s auditory landscape is as carefully curated as its visual elements. The creative team places significant emphasis on the quality of the voice performances, recognizing their crucial role in imbuing the characters with personality and emotional depth.

"I give great importance to how my characters sound," Gagnol stated, "and it had to be the same with this new project. There are many different soundscapes in the film, as we travel from one place to another and inside the car, and having these great actors on board was also a blessing."

The ensemble cast features some of France’s most beloved and versatile performers. The role of the grandmother is brought to life by the iconic Josiane Balasko, whose renowned comedic timing and dramatic prowess are expected to deliver a memorable performance. Golshifteh Farahani lends her distinctive voice to the feline character, a choice that promises to imbue the cat with a unique charm and presence. Rounding out the central trio is the eccentric and multifaceted Philippe Katerine, a celebrated singer-songwriter and actor, who voices the dog, undoubtedly adding his signature wit and warmth to the role. This carefully selected cast is poised to create a lovable and engaging dynamic that will resonate with audiences of all ages.

Strategic Engagement: Building Awareness in a Competitive Market

With the animation phase nearing completion and the coloring and compositing stages underway, the team is strategically utilizing the Cannes Marché du Film to build momentum and generate awareness for "Dog My Cats!". While the film is well into production and secured financing a considerable time ago, the international film market demands proactive engagement.

"The good thing is that we’re already well into production and secured financing a long time ago," Duc-Maugé confirmed. "That is also thanks to our Belgian partners UMedia and producer Cédric Iland, who will be joining me for the showcase. I feel very lucky to have him on board, and he came in as our first active partner after reading the script. Beyond that, Alain is a renowned filmmaker, Lilas is a great artist, and I’m confident this story will appeal to many."

The presence at Cannes is not about seeking additional funding but rather about cultivating early interest and establishing a strong market presence. "We’re not looking for gap financing, but building awareness very early on about the film is key to bringing it to French and international audiences in the near future," Duc-Maugé elaborated. "In France, KMBO is already presenting the film to theaters and other circuits. Getting the word out and teasing the film directly to those key players is very important to us today."

This proactive approach to marketing and distribution is crucial in today’s increasingly crowded global entertainment landscape. By engaging with distributors, exhibitors, and potential international buyers at such an influential platform, the "Dog My Cats!" team aims to ensure a robust and widespread release upon its projected debut in 2027.

"Dog My Cats!" represents a heartwarming 2D animated story that has been on Cartoon Brew’s radar since its promising debut at Cartoon Movie 2024. Produced by Parmi les lucioles films with strong Canadian and Belgian partnerships, and with KMBO handling distribution in France and international sales, the film is poised to become a significant player in the animated feature film arena. Its blend of artistic innovation, compelling storytelling, and a talented creative team positions "Dog My Cats!" as a must-watch for animation enthusiasts worldwide. The journey from a retired animator’s vision to a vibrant, feature-length production is a testament to the enduring power of collaboration and the universal appeal of a well-told story.