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Netflix-Acquired Animation ‘In Waves’ To Open The American French Film Festival
The animated feature *In Waves*, directed by Phuong Mai Nguyen, will open the 30th American French Film Festival in Los Angeles. Its selection is significant because it is the festival’s first animated opening film and highlights a creative exchange between American source material and French animation.
Adapted from AJ Dungo’s 2019 graphic novel, the English-language film follows a skateboarder and surfer whose relationship is tested by her cancer diagnosis. Will Sharpe and Stephanie Hsu provide the voices, while Netflix has acquired worldwide rights outside France; the festival runs from 3 to 8 November at the DGA Theater Complex in Hollywood.
In short
- *In Waves* will open TAFFF’s 30th anniversary edition.
- It is the festival’s first animated opening film.
- Netflix acquired global rights outside France.
Explained simply
The American French Film Festival is an annual event in Los Angeles that presents films connected with France and the United States. It takes place at the DGA Theater Complex in Hollywood and brings together filmmakers and audiences around work from both countries.
In Waves is based on a 2019 graphic novel by American artist AJ Dungo. The story centres on a young couple who share a love of surfing and skateboarding, and face the effects of a cancer diagnosis.
The film is directed by French animator Phuong Mai Nguyen and is in English, with Will Sharpe and Stephanie Hsu among its voice cast. Its production links an American book and story with French animation, while Netflix holds worldwide distribution rights outside France.