The American French Film Festival marks its 30th anniversary with the Los Angeles premiere of IN WAVES, Phuong Mai Nguyen’s luminous animated feature adapted from AJ Dungo’s acclaimed autobiographical graphic novel. The film opens the festival on November 3 at the Directors Guild of America in Hollywood. Passes are now on sale.
Set against the sun-drenched surf culture of Southern California, IN WAVES is a deeply moving love story about a shy teenage boy and the fearless girl who teaches him not only how to surf, but how to embrace life. Their connection is tested when illness takes her away, leaving behind a tender meditation on first love, grief, memory, and the healing pull of the ocean.
Directed by Phuong Mai Nguyen, the English-language animated feature stars Will Sharpe (Flowers, The White Lotus: Season 2) and Academy Award nominee Stephanie Hsu (Everything Everywhere All at Once). The Opening Night presentation is offered in association with Netflix.
Fresh from Cannes, where it made history as the first animated feature ever selected to open Critics’ Week, IN WAVES will launch both the festival and its awards competition, running November 3–8, 2026, at the DGA. The film will also receive an additional festival screening on November 7, ahead of its U.S. release by Netflix on December 11.
