Winner of the Palme d’Or in Cannes, the French César, and both the Silver and Golden Dragon at the Kraków Film Festival, Jean-François Laguionie is set to return to the capital of Lesser Poland. Jean-François Laguionie is going to receive the Dragon of Dragons and lead a masterclass The occasion will be accompanied by a retrospective of his remarkable, painterly films.
The Kraków Film Festival Programme Council has selected French animation maestro Jean-François Laguionie as the recipient of the 2025 Dragon of Dragons award. For six decades, Laguionie has continued to explore new compositional possibilities in animated storytelling. His early films – Noah’s Ark (Silver Dragon, 1967) and A Random Bomb (Golden Dragon, 1969) – earned recognition at the Kraków Film Festival, while Rowing Across the Atlantic (1978) secured him the Palme d’Or at Cannes. His latest feature, A Boat in the Garden, is set to premiere this year. – explains Tadeusz Lubelski, Chair of the KFF Programme Council.
Born in 1939 in Besançon, France, Jean-François Laguionie initially pursued drawing, painting, and theatre. He studied stage design at the École de la rue Blanche in Paris before turning to acting. In 1963, he met Paul Grimault (1904–1994), one of France’s most celebrated animation directors. That encounter prompted Laguionie to alter the course of his artistic development. Grimault became his mentor, providing him with studio space and imparting not only the technical aspects of animation but also the principles of constructing narratives. Most importantly, he demonstrated that animation need not be confined to merely entertainment; it could also serve as a profound artistic medium exploring human emotions and experiences.
The French artist blends surrealist and impressionist influences, creating truly unique visual worlds. Deeply rooted in painting – particularly gouache – his distinctive artistic style is characterised by bold colours, masterful interplay of light and shadow, and dreamlike landscapes where seas and oceans often take centre stage. Maritime voyages are a recurring motif throughout his works, from his debut The Lady and the Cellist (1965) to the César-winning Rowing Across the Atlantic (1978) as well as more recent films such as Louise by the Shore (2016) and A Boat in the Garden (2024). Ships and boats in his films symbolise humankind’s relationship with nature and serve as conduits for exploring interpersonal connections.
Beyond his fascination with aquatic themes, Laguionie’s work frequently incorporates social and political allegories. The Mask of the Devil (1976) dissects power structures built on fear, A Random Bomb (1969) critiques the absurdity of war, while The Painting (2011) offers a meditation on social stratification.
Although Laguionie first gained recognition for his short films, it was his feature-length works that brought him widespread acclaim. His filmography spans both children’s tales (Black Mor’s Island, The Prince’s Voyage) and more contemplative narratives aimed at adult audiences. Regardless of their length or intended audience, Laguionie’s films remain true to his distinctive style, seamlessly blending philosophical depth with whimsical humour and poetic imagination.
As part of his visit to Kraków, Laguionie will lead a masterclass.
I can’t wait to see Kraków again, forty years after my last visit. I don’t know how to express the joy this award brings me. It brings back warm memories of your country, your city, and the friends I made at your festival many years ago, such as Daniel Szczechura and Raoul Servais… I am deeply honoured to receive the Dragon of Dragons, especially as I have just completed my latest film, A Boat in the Garden, which is going to, in fact, be my final work. What a marvellous way to conclude my career! – reflects an emotional Jean-François Laguionie.
Retrospective of Jean-François Laguionie’s films:
- The Lady and the Cellist, dir. Jean-François Laguionie, France, 7’, 1965
- Noah’s Ark, dir. Jean-François Laguionie, France, 10’, 1967
- A Random Bomb, dir. Jean-François Laguionie, France, 8’, 1969
- Rowing Across the Atlantic, dir. Jean-François Laguionie, France, 24’, 1978
- The Mask of the Devil, dir. Jean-François Laguionie, France, 11’, 1979
- Gwen, or the Book of Sand, dir. Jean-François Laguionie, France, 67’, 1985
- A Monkey’s Tale, reż. Jean-François Laguionie, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Hungary, 80’, 1999
- The Painting, dir. Jean-François Laguionie, France, Belgium, Canada, 80’, 2011
- Louise by the Shore, dir. Jean-François Laguionie, France, Belgium, Canada, 75’, 2016
- A Boat in the Garden, dir. Jean-François Laguionie, France, Luxembourg, 75’, 2024
The event is held in partnership with the Institut Français en Pologne.
Celebrating its 30th edition this year, the Dragon of Dragons award is the highest honour bestowed by the Programme Council of the Kraków Film Foundation, the organiser of the Kraków Film Festival. It recognises outstanding contributions to global cinema, particularly in the fields of documentary and animated film. Previous winners include such esteemed filmmakers as Werner Herzog, Priit Pärn, Kazimierz Karabasz, Bohdan Kosiński, Bogdan Dziworski, Allan King, Albert Maysles, Jonas Mekas, Helena Třestíková, Stephen and Timothy Quay, Raoul Servais, Jerzy Kucia, Paul Driessen, Caroline Leaf, Michael Dudok de Wit, Jacek Petrycki, and Godfrey Reggio.
Insider passes for the 65th Kraków Film Festival are now on sale!
The Krakow Film Festival is on the exclusive list of film events qualifying for the Academy Awards® in short film categories (fiction, animation, documentary) and feature-length documentary, the European Film Awards in the same categories, and serves as a qualifying event for the BAFTA Awards.
The Krakow Film Festival is organised with financial support from the City of Krakow, the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, the Polish Film Institute, and the Creative Europe MEDIA Programme. The Polish Filmmakers Association serves as co-organiser.
The 65th Krakow Film Festival will be held from 25 May to 1 June 2025, and online on KFF VOD from 30 May to 15 June.