Netflix wins ‘In Waves’ after Cannes bidding frenzy

Netflix acquired – Netflix has acquired the French-Belgian animated feature “In Waves,” which premiered in Cannes’ Critics’ Week and follows a shy teen and a surfing-loving girl whose love is tested by a sudden illness.

The animated waves started rolling at Cannes, and by the time the dust settled, Netflix had swept in after a worldwide bidding war.

“In Waves. ” which opened Critics’ Week at the festival with a special screening. has been acquired by Netflix. according to information shared after the scramble for the French-Belgian feature.. The movie adapted AJ Dungo’s 2019 graphic novel and is directed by Phuong Mai Nguyen, marking her feature debut.. It premiered early in the festival, kicking off Cannes’ independent International Critics’ Week section.

At the center of “In Waves” is AJ. voiced by Will Sharpe. a shy teenager who meets Kristen. voiced by Stephanie Hsu. a girl who loves surfing.. The official synopsis sets up the romance: they “fall madly in love. and a happy future seems within reach.” But that future doesn’t last.. “Everything changes when Kristen faces a sudden illness.” The film follows how the two face adversity together. pulled forward by “the strength of their love. their friends. and their newly shared passion for surfing and the ocean.”

Fanny Burdino and Samuel Doux wrote the screenplay.. Production credits go to Priscilla Bertin and Judith Nora. while executive producers attached to the project include David Levine. Yohann Comte. Carole Baraton. Pierre Mazars. Will Sharpe. Stephanie Hsu. Nick Shumaker. and David Levine on behalf of Anonymous Content.

Shumaker and Levine said the purchase reflects their confidence in the story and the director’s distinctive style.. “From the very start. we were energized by Mai’s unmistakable talent and the ability of AJ’s story to deeply move audiences. ” they said in a joint statement.. They added that the Netflix partnership will help bring “our romantic, coming-of-age story” to viewers “all over the world.”

The response at Cannes underscored why Netflix moved fast.. Steve Pond. who saw the film at the festival. described how Nguyen’s directorial approach shifts as the story unfolds—using Dungo’s drawings while pushing imagination into the visual language of the film.. He wrote that despite the virtuoso hand-drawn animation. the center of gravity is emotional. calling it “a major tearjerker of a rom-dram.” Pond also compared it to coming-of-age touchstones like “The Fault in Our Stars. ” pointing to a blend of tragedy and pathos.

Beneath the acquisition sits a practical question: will Netflix turn “In Waves” into an awards push?. With no release date announced yet. the timing and buzz suggest the streamer may aim to put the film in the conversation for Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards.. In recent years. that category has often favored independent European titles. including last year’s nominees “Little Amélie or the Character of Rain” and “Arco. ” as well as the previous year’s winner “Flow.”

Netflix’s animated slate also gives context for why this deal fits.. The streaming service recently released “Swapped,” a co-production with Skydance Animation.. It also has “Ray Gunn” (another Skydance collaboration) and “Steps” debuting later this year.. Last year. Netflix released “KPop Demon Hunters” with Sony Pictures Animation; it became the most-watched Netflix original movie ever and the first non-Disney or Pixar animated film to win two Academy Awards. for Original Song and Animated Feature.

Netflix In Waves Cannes Critics' Week Phuong Mai Nguyen AJ Dungo Will Sharpe Stephanie Hsu animated film International Critics' Week Academy Awards Best Animated Feature