The Art of the Unusual: Inside the Production of Alain Gagnol’s ‘Dog My Cats!’

As the Marché du Film at the Cannes Film Festival transforms into a global epicenter for animation this weekend, industry eyes are firmly fixed on the Annecy Animation Showcase. Among the highly anticipated titles generating buzz in the South of France is Dog My Cats!, a bold new feature film from Academy Award-nominated director Alain Gagnol.

Known for his atmospheric and emotionally resonant work on A Cat in Paris, Gagnol is embarking on a fresh creative chapter. This project marks a significant transition in his career, featuring a collaboration with acclaimed illustrator and comic book artist Lilas Cognet, who serves as the film’s artistic director. Together, they are crafting a story that bridges the gap between traditional craftsmanship and modern narrative innovation.

The Narrative Foundation: A Tale of Secrets and Speech

At its heart, Dog My Cats! is a road movie that balances humor with a touch of the metaphysical. The plot centers on siblings Jules and Lola, whose relatively mundane lives are upended by the sudden arrival of their grandmother. The narrative quickly pivots from a family drama to a mystery when the trio embarks on a quest to locate a missing teenager—a journey that promises to unearth long-buried family legacies.

The film’s unique hook, however, lies in the grandmother’s peculiar ability: she possesses the supernatural capacity to converse with cats and dogs. This element serves as both a source of levity and a narrative device that allows Gagnol to explore the world through a non-human, albeit highly communicative, perspective. By framing the story from a child’s point of view, the filmmakers aim to capture the sense of wonder and confusion inherent in discovering adult secrets.

Chronology of a Creative Partnership

The genesis of Dog My Cats! can be traced back to the 2023 Annecy International Animation Film Festival, a pivotal moment for Gagnol’s studio. It was there that Jean-Loup Felicioli, Gagnol’s long-time artistic partner and collaborator on A Cat in Paris and Nina and the Hedgehog’s Secret, announced his retirement.

For Gagnol, the departure of a creative partner of nearly two decades was a daunting prospect. "After Jean-Loup’s decision, I had to find another person to help me bring my stories to animation," Gagnol reflects. "Graphic design is not my strong suit, and I wanted to find someone with a distinct style. What I do love about animation is the craft, the tinkering. In a way, animation is very close to early cinema."

Gagnol’s search led him to the work of Lilas Cognet, particularly her graphic novel Bob Denard. Recognizing a kindred spirit in her meticulous approach to visual storytelling, he initiated a collaboration. Their professional paths had previously crossed at the Émile Cohl school in Paris, where both serve as faculty members, though their shared introversion had prevented a meaningful creative exchange until the project demanded it.

For Cognet, the invitation was a career-defining moment. "I loved A Cat in Paris," she recalls. "So, I was truly happy when Alain contacted me. We had already met several times in the corridors of the school, but as two introverts, we hadn’t really talked before."

Technical Execution and Aesthetic Vision

The production of Dog My Cats! is a testament to the "tinkering" spirit Gagnol so admires. The film’s aesthetic is built upon a foundation of 150 detailed reference drawings created by Cognet using MBM Arches paper, sable-hair brushes, watercolor ink, and black pencil. This analog starting point is then meticulously translated into the digital realm.

The workflow involves a hybrid approach, utilizing Photoshop, TVPaint, and After Effects. While the film is rooted in 2D artistry, the team is incorporating sophisticated 3D elements and 2D-style visual effects to add depth and texture.

Jérôme Duc-Maugé, who produced Gagnol’s previous film, Nina and the Hedgehog’s Secret, emphasizes the importance of maintaining Cognet’s tactile, painterly style throughout the production. "With Lilas, every frame is a painting," Duc-Maugé notes. "She has a knack for lighting, framing, and building an atmosphere that exists somewhere between realism and a dreamscape. Our first challenge was to match this level of work in our production values and find the right tools to bring her style to life."

Official Voices: A Star-Studded Cast

The film’s emotional weight is bolstered by a formidable French voice cast, selected by Gagnol for their ability to anchor the characters’ humanity—or, in the case of the pets, their distinct personalities.

• Josiane Balasko provides the voice of the mysterious grandmother, lending the character the necessary gravitas and warmth.
• Golshifteh Farahani has been cast as the cat, a character described as having a sophisticated, perhaps slightly aloof, on-screen presence.
• Philippe Katerine, the versatile French singer-songwriter and actor, brings his trademark wit and eccentricity to the dog character.

Gagnol places immense importance on the soundscape of his films. "I give great importance to how my characters sound," he says. "It had to be the same with this new project. There are many different soundscapes, as we travel from one place to another, and having these great actors on board was a blessing."

Supporting Data: Production and Distribution

Production is currently in its final stages, with the team focusing on coloring and compositing. The project, which was first tracked by Cartoon Brew during its early development at Cartoon Movie 2024, has secured a robust financial foundation.

Key to this stability is the partnership with Belgian studio UMedia and producer Cédric Iland. Duc-Maugé speaks highly of the collaboration, noting that Iland’s early belief in the script provided the necessary momentum to secure international backing.

In France, the film is already being positioned for a wide release through KMBO. The distribution strategy focuses on high-visibility engagement, ensuring that by the time of its 2027 release, the film has established a strong presence with both theatrical circuits and international buyers.

Implications for the Animation Industry

The presence of Dog My Cats! at the Cannes Marché du Film highlights a broader trend in the animation industry: the shift toward auteur-driven, medium-budget features that prioritize stylistic identity over mass-market trends.

For the production team, the goal is not merely to secure financing—which is already largely accounted for—but to generate long-term awareness. In a competitive global market, early promotion is essential. "We’re not looking for gap financing," Duc-Maugé explains. "Building awareness very early on is key to bringing the film to French and international audiences. Getting the word out and teasing the film directly to those key players is very important to us today."

As the industry evolves, the success of projects like Dog My Cats! will likely depend on the marriage of traditional artistic sensibilities and the technical agility to translate those styles into digital mediums. By blending Gagnol’s narrative experience with Cognet’s fresh, illustration-heavy perspective, the production represents a promising evolution for French animation.

As the team prepares to showcase their work to international investors, the message is clear: the craft of animation remains a deeply human endeavor. Whether through the ink-stained drawings of an illustrator or the voice work of a seasoned actor, Dog My Cats! seeks to remind audiences that even in a digital age, the "tinkering" behind the scenes is what makes the magic on screen possible.