In Netflix’s first major deal out of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, the streamer has picked up global rights outside of France to breakout Critics Week opener “In Waves,” an adaptation of AJ Dungo’s 2019 graphic memoir.
The animated romance directed by Phuong Mai Nguyen boasts a voice cast led by Oscar-nominated Stephanie Hsu and BAFTA winner Will Sharpe.
The movie, which opened Critics’ Week to rave reviews, has quickly emerged as one of the breakout titles of Cannes’ parallel sections. In its review, Variety described the film as “an elegantly animated adaptation,’” praising the emotional depth of Nguyen’s coming-of-age love story.
Netflix won the buzzy project in a highly competitive bidding war, after multiple worldwide offers. The deal, which is rumored to be in the mid-seven figure range, was negotiated by Anonymous Content, CAA Media Finance and Charades on behalf of the filmmakers.
Produced by Silex Films, distributed in France by Diaphana and sold internationally by Charades, “In Waves” is directed by Phuong Mai Nguyen and written by Fanny Burdino and Samuel Doux, based on the acclaimed graphic novel by Dungo.
