Dominique Puthod, Chairman of CITIA, and Antoine Armand, Deputy of the Haute-Savoie's 2nd constituency and former Ministry of Economics, Finance and Industry – Photo : ANNECY FESTIVAL/Q. Trillot
Dominique Puthod, Chairman of CITIA and Departmental Councillor of the Haute-Savoie, has been awarded the Knight of the Legion of Honour.
On Thursday 12th June, Antoine Armand, Deputy of the Haute-Savoie's 2nd constituency and former Ministry of Economics, Finance and Industry, presented Dominique Puthod, Chairman of the public cultural cooperation establishment CITIA and Departmental Councillor of the Haute-Savoie, with the insignia of the Knight of the Legion of Honour.
"This medal represents a collective adventure, a long-standing commitment to a sector, a city and a region. I have been chairing the EPCC CITIA since 2006 and spearheaded an initiative in which I wholeheartedly believe in: to establish Annecy not only as an annual event, but as a globally recognised centre of excellence for animation film.
Looking back on how far we have come, there are three milestones that today define our region's strong identity:
1. The unstoppable rise of the Annecy Festival
In ten years, the Festival has experienced exceptional growth: +140% rise in the number of accreditations between 2014 and 2024.
More than 18,000 badgeholders this year and 118 countries represented.
This places the Annecy Festival as one of the world's top three film events, after Cannes and Berlin.
2. The local development of a creative ecosystem
CITIA's project is defined by three mutually supportive mainstays: culture, training courses and economy.
This public initiative has transformed Annecy into a hub of creation, production and distribution.
3. The upcoming opening of the Cité internationale du cinéma d'animation
And now, a whole new chapter. In 2026, a venue we have all been eagerly awaiting: la Cité internationale du cinéma d'animation.
This project is a historic opportunity, which is led by the City of Annecy, supported by the State and the Region, and has the Department as its first partner.
CITIA will be in charge of its running.
By doing this we will pay tribute to the dream of the Festival's founders in 1960: to provide animation films with a permanent showcase with venues for transmission, mediation, distribution and creation.
To at last make Annecy the world capital of animation film all year round!
I would like to dedicate this accolade to all those who have supported and continue to support animation film in Annecy, those who are alongside me on a daily basis and who support me in my passions and desire to shape the region."
Dominique Puthod
The entire CITIA and Annecy Festival team is thrilled for Dominique Puthod and congratulates him on this prestigious distinction.
