Synopsis
AJ, a shy teenager, meets Kristen while in high school in Los Angeles. Kristen is passionate about surfing... and she’s the most beautiful person he’s ever met. They fall madly in love. As life seems to finally come together for AJ, Kristen’s life starts falling apart, shattered by illness. Together, they will fight adversity with dignity and enjoy their now-shared passion for surfing and for the ocean, but also their loyal band of friends. This is what happens when love and friendship become a wave stronger than anything.
"In Waves" is the animated feature adaptation of AJ Dungo's graphic novel, published by Nobrow, awarded "Prix de la BD Fnac-France Inter 2020", and in official selection at Angoulême Comics Festival 2020.
Partners
Charades, Diaphana, Anonymous Content, France 3 Cinéma, Panique!, Charades Productions, Gao Shan Pictures, France Télévisions, Ciné+, Amazon Prime Video, CNC, Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Département de la Charente, Région Ile-de-France, Région Réunion, Ciclic Centre-Val de Loire, Procirep, FACE Foundation
Awards
CICLIC feature film Award at Annecy IFF 2021 (Pitchs MIFA)
Technical film summary
Directed by: Phuong Mai Nguyen
Graphic design: Phuong Mai Nguyen
Written by: Fanny Burdino & Samuel Doux
Adapted from: « In Waves », graphic novel by AJ Dungo (published by Nobrow Press, 2019 ; awarded "Prix de la BD Fnac-France Inter 2020" in France & official selection at Angoulême Comics Festival 2020)
Original soundtrack: ROB & OKLou
Format: 2D/3D mix (2D finish) animation feature
Audience: Young adult-adult (+13)
Genre: Drama, Romance
Producer: SILEX FILMS - Priscilla Bertin & Judith Nora
Associate producers: Anonymous Content (USA), France 3 Cinéma, Panique! (Belgium), Charades Productions (France), Gao Shan Pictures (France)
Theatrical distributor (France): Diaphana
International Sales: Charades (with Anonymous Content for the US territory)
Animation studios: ADV Studios (Autour du volcan), Gao Shan Pictures, Silex Animation, Silex Films
Casting
French voice cast
LYNA KHOUDRI - Kristen
RIO VEGA - AJ
PAUL KIRCHER - Eon
BIRANE BA - Francisco
Festival selections
Annecy Goes to Cannes Animation Showcase at Cannes Film Market 2024
Villa Albertine 2023 Residency for Phuong Mai Nguyen
Cartoon Movie 2022
Pitchs MIFA - Annecy International Animation FF 2021
Press review
“Cannes 2024 : La Conférence des oiseaux et In Waves passent par l’Animation Day“, 20/05/2024, Ecran Total
“‘French Dispatch’s’ Lyna Khoudri, ‘Deerskin’s’ Rio Vega Lead French Voice Cast of ‘In Waves’ From Silex, Anonymous Content, Charades“, 23/04/2024, Variety
“Annecy Brings Five Works in Progress to Cannes’ Marché du Film Animation Day“, 23/04/2024, Variety
“Anonymous Content Boards Silex, Charades’ Surf-Themed Animated Film Based on AJ Dungo’s Graphic Memoir ‘In Waves’“, 04/05/2023, Variety
“Silex Teams with Charades on Animated California Surf-Themed Love Story ‘In Waves’“, 15/06/2021, Variety
“Silex Films lance le projet de long-métrage ‘In Waves’ coproduit par Charades“, 15/06/2021, Le Film Français
“In Waves d’AJ Dungo adapté en film d’animation chez Silex Films“, 26/04/2021, Comicsblog.fr