by Alex Billington
May 12, 2026
Source: YouTube
“Long live Carmen!” A first look teaser trailer has been unveiled for the animated film titled Viva Carmen, premiering soon at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. This is the latest feature film made by the very talented French animation filmmaker Sébastien Laudenbach, who also made the vibrant Chicken for Linda!, too. This one is premiering in the Directors Fortnight sidebar at Cannes (and also at Annecy) and looks just as stunning as his past creations. In the back alleys of Seville – Salva, Belén, and their gang of street kids will brave every danger to ward off the threat hanging over Carmen, a free-spirited & flamboyant young woman. The fate of Carmen, a rebellious soul, lies in their hands if they can help save her. Set in Andalusia, Spain in 1840. Returning to Seville after three years far away, 13-year-old Salva meets Carmen, a 20-year-old gypsy with a fascinating voice. Learning from an omen that death is coming for her, he calls on his street friends to save her. With the voices of Camélia Jordana as Carmen, Milo Machado-Graner, Soumaye Bocoum, and Carl Malapa. I adore the extra colorful hand-painted look of Laudenbach’s films, every single frame is so gorgeous. This looks as captivating as any animated film can. Keep an eye out for it at film festivals soon.
Here’s the first look teaser trailer for Sébastien Laudenbach’s animated film Viva Carmen, from YouTube:
1845, Seville, a pulsating town of sailors and small-time crooks. Teenage Salvador, assistant to the gifted knife grinder Antonio, encounters a captivating young gypsy woman, Carmen. Her stunning beauty and independent spirit set the town abuzz, but Antonio’s mystical ability to glimpse the future in sharpened blades foretells a tragic fate for her at the hands of a soldier, José. With unwavering resolve, Salvador musters an eclectic band of misfit street kids, led by the spirited Belén, to challenge the unyielding threads of destiny and protect Carmen from inevitable doom. Viva Carmen, also known as Carmen, l’oiseau rebelle in French, is directed by acclaimed French animation filmmaker Sébastien Laudenbach, director of the other animated films The Girl Without Hands and Chicken for Linda! previously, plus many other shorts. The screenplay is written by Sébastien Laudenbach & Santiago Otheguy. It’s based on the opera by Georges Bizet. Produced by Damien Brunner, Sarah Delmas, Pablo Jordi, Veronica Lassenius, Pierre-Henri Léon. This is premiering at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival in the Directors Fortnight sidebar section. Opening in French cinemas in October 2026 this fall. No US release is set – stay tuned. First impression? Look good?
