The stop-motion film "Kiri and Lou Go Raaa!" will have its world premiere at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on June 24, 2026 [1].
This debut marks a significant milestone for the New Zealand film industry, as the project is the first ever stop-motion feature from the country [1]. The transition from a short-form series to a feature-length production follows the global success of the original BAFTA-nominated property [1, 2].
Voice actors Jemaine Clement and Olivia Tennet are scheduled to attend the premiere to support the spinoff [1, 2]. The event will take place at the Bonlieu venue, a lakeside location within the Annecy festival grounds in France [1].
Kiri and Lou has established itself as New Zealand’s most internationally successful animated property [1]. The original series earned critical acclaim and a BAFTA nomination, creating the demand for a cinematic expansion of the characters' world [2].
The production utilizes traditional stop-motion techniques to bring the characters to life on a larger scale. By debuting at Annecy, one of the most prestigious animation festivals in the world, the film seeks to build on the existing momentum of the brand [1].
Organizers said the June 24 date is confirmed for the screening at the Bonlieu venue [1]. The presence of the lead voice cast is expected to draw significant attention to the lakeside premiere as the film introduces its expanded narrative to international audiences [1, 2].
“The first ever stop-motion feature from New Zealand”
The premiere of "Kiri and Lou Go Raaa!" represents a strategic scale-up of New Zealand's animation capabilities. By leveraging a BAFTA-nominated brand and debuting at a top-tier global venue like Annecy, the production aims to prove that New Zealand's stop-motion industry can sustain feature-length commercial viability on the world stage.
