Posted: Thu., May. 28, 2009, 3:59pm PT

Highlights from this year's Annecy fest

A selection of the more promising animated films

By Variety Staff

'Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs'

FILMS IN COMPETITION

The 10 features vying for the coveted Annecy Cristal this year are:

• Battle for Terra (U.S.)

• Boogie, el aceitoso (Argentina)

• Brendan and the Secret of Kells (France/Ireland/Belgium)

• Coraline (U.S.)

• Kurt Turns Evil (Norway)

• Mary and Max (Australia)

• Monsters vs. Aliens (U.S.)

• My Dog Tulip (U.S.)

• Redline (Japan)

• The Story of Mr. Sorry (South Korea)

BETWEEN FRAMES

Toon talent share behind-the-scenes insights on the production of U's The Tale of Despereaux and Disney/Pixar's Up as well as eight upcoming projects, including Sony Pictures Animation's Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs.

SPOTLIGHTS & SHORTS

Special programs include roundups of dance films, toons set on the moon, German animation, Russian stop-motion pioneer Alexander Shiryaev and 20 years' worth of AIDS awareness campaigns by Act Up.