Twelve Korean animation studios walked into Annecy, France this spring hoping to strike deals with the world’s biggest buyers of animated content — and walked out with nearly $84 million worth of interest.
South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) operated a Korea Pavilion at the 2026 Annecy International Animation Market, held June 23-26 in Annecy, France, alongside the Annecy International Animation Film Festival — widely regarded as the world’s largest specialized animation market — according to a report by Etoday published June 30. KOCCA ran exhibitions, business matchmaking sessions, investment pitching and conference programming throughout the event as part of its export support push.
Twelve Korean companies took part in the Korea Pavilion: A-Corns, Alimoli Studio, Climax Studio, Devsisters, Kids Castle, Ocon, Pixelplanet, Pixtrend, Studio Acon, Studio Animal, Studio Shelter and Studio T&T. These companies held discussions with buyers from Germany, the United States, Spain, the United Kingdom, Italy, Canada and France on potential co-production, licensing and distribution deals, ultimately reaching a combined $84.09 million in export consultations.
KOCCA also ran a “K-animation Pitching Showcase” aimed at expanding overseas market access, presenting five IP projects to roughly 100 global investors: Climax Studio’s “Yomang,” Devsisters’ “Cookie Run” animated feature film, Pixtrend’s “Virus N-ho,” Studio Animal’s “Isekai Gukbap Master,” and Studio Shelter’s “Maru is a Good Dog.”
One project drew particular attention: Studio Acon’s “Korean Souls” was invited into Annecy’s official “Documentary Pitches” program, a France co-production that has already won the Christal Publishing Prize and the DOK Leipzig Prize overseas in recognition of its creative planning and execution. “The official MIFA invitation is an encouraging result that shows Korean animation’s creative capabilities can compete globally,” said Kim Sun-goo, CEO of Studio Acon. “We will continue pursuing international collaboration to expand Korean animation IP.”
Lee Do-hyung, head of KOCCA’s Content IP Promotion Division, said the pavilion and investment showcase “once again confirmed the global competitiveness and commercialization potential of Korean animation IP,” adding that the agency would continue tailored support spanning planning, production and overseas expansion. KOCCA is now recruiting participants for its Korea Pavilion and showcase at MIPCOM 2026, scheduled for October.
Source: Hwang Min-ju, Etoday, June 30, 2026.
