Adult Swim returns to Annecy International Animation Film Festival this year with a raucous lineup of first-looks, breaking news and special appearances for its adult animation slate. The network’s showcase will be headlined by special guests Genndy Tartakovsky, Joe Bennett, Steve Hely, Michael Cusack and Zach Hadel. Top of the must-see list is a special session on Common Side Effects, announced at Annecy Festival 2023.
In addition to the panels and sneak peeks detailed below, Adult Swim’s quarter-hour comedy Smiling Friends will screen in the festival’s official competition on the heels of its second season debut.
Packing Adult Swim’s Annecy schedule are:
Common Side Effects Making-of Panel
Wednesday, June 12 at 5 p.m., Bonlieu – Petite salle
Adult Swim will screen the entire first episode of the highly anticipated new series Common Side Effects exclusively at Annecy. After the world-premiere screening, co-creators Joe Bennett (Scavengers Reign) and Steve Hely (Veep, American Dad!, The Office), will join Adult Swim President Michael Ouweleen, Head of Adult Animation Suzanna Makkos and Bandera Entertainment President Dustin Davis for an in-depth conversation and Q&A about this special new series.
From executive producers Mike Judge and Greg Daniels, Common Side Effects follows Marshall and Frances, two former high school lab partners who share a secret: Marshall has discovered the world’s greatest medicine, a mushroom that can heal almost anything. But getting it out into the world won’t be easy — the DEA, big pharma and international businessmen are all on the chase to stop them. The half-hour serialized comedic thriller is produced by Bandera and Green Street Pictures.
Adult Swim – Defying Expectations
Thursday, June 13 at 2 p.m., Impérial Palace – Salle de la Volière
Featuring appearances by Emmy-winning creator Genndy Tartakovsky (Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal) and Smiling Friends co-creators Zach Hadel and Michael Cusack, this can’t-miss panel will offer first-looks at a collection of forthcoming Adult Swim content that will continue to defy expectations. Ouweleen and Makkos will join Adult Swim Head of Production Kelly Crews for a show-stopping panel filled with first looks and breaking news that will underscore the network’s global dominance in adult animation.
Adult Animation at Warner Bros. Discovery – Studio Focus
Friday, June 14 at 12 p.m., Impérial Palace – Salle de la Volière
Adult Swim, Max and Warner Bros. Animation spotlight their strategy and efforts in the booming adult animation space. Ouweleen, Makkos and Executive Vice President, Alternative Programming, Warner Bros. Animation Peter Girardi will preview current and upcoming projects and share their team’s strategies to ensure Warner Bros. Discovery remains the destination for adult animation.
