A real-life romance, a Vietnamese filmmaker’s debut dream, and a historic moment at Cannes — here’s everything you need to know about ‘In Waves’
Cannes Film Festival 2026 is barely underway, but the festival’s biggest deal is already done. Netflix has acquired global rights — outside of France — to the animated romance In Waves, making it the streaming giant’s first and largest acquisition out of Cannes this year.
Sources familiar with the deal say it landed in the mid-seven figure range, with Netflix beating out multiple worldwide offers in a highly competitive bidding war.
But the real story here goes far beyond the dollar signs.
In Waves is rooted in the true life of Los Angeles-based illustrator AJ Dungo. His first girlfriend Kristen was diagnosed with cancer, and before she passed away, she asked him to tell their story to the world.
In 2019, Dungo published a graphic memoir titled In Waves and that deeply personal book has now become a groundbreaking film.
Set against the sunshine and surf of California, the story follows two young lovers — a skateboarder and a surfer — who first meet at school, fall for each other, and then find their relationship pushed to its absolute limits by a devastating illness.
Will Sharpe voices AJ, a reserved high school student who spends his days drawing and skateboarding with his crew. Stephanie Hsu voices Kristen, a passionate surfer who finds joy and freedom in the ocean. When the two meet, curiosity slowly blossoms into deep love — Kristen pulls AJ into the water, teaches him to surf, and opens his eyes to the sport’s rich historical roots in Hawaiian culture.
In Waves opened Cannes Critics’ Week this year — and it made history as the first animated feature film ever to hold that honor in the parallel section’s entire run.
Critics’ Week celebrated its 65th edition this year, selecting just 11 films out of 1,050 feature-length submissions. In Waves earned the opening night slot.
From the moment it hit the screen, the praise came pouring in. Critics called it moving, beautifully crafted, and one of the standout titles of Cannes’ parallel sections.
Director Phuong Mai Nguyen hails from Vietnam and studied at France’s prestigious animation schools Les Gobelins and La Poudrière. She has said that Spirited Away was the film that completely changed the way she thought about animation and inspired her to move to France and pursue it professionally.
When Nguyen first signed on to the project, she flew out to Southern California to meet AJ Dungo in person and fully immerse herself in his world. The California light — something she says France rarely has — left a deep impression on her, and that warmth is woven throughout every frame of the film.
In Waves marks Nguyen’s feature film debut. She previously co-directed the animated France Télévision series Brazen, based on Pénélope Bagieu’s graphic novel, and has worked as a storyboard and graphic artist across multiple animated projects. Her short film Under the Same Roof was shortlisted for the Academy Awards in 2016.
Nguyen has been clear that no AI was used in making the film — every frame was created digitally by hand, by people. Animating the ocean waves was one of the biggest technical challenges of the entire production, because in this film, the waves aren’t just background scenery they mirror every emotion the characters are going through.
The English-language voice cast is led by Oscar-nominated Stephanie Hsu and BAFTA winner Will Sharpe. The French-language version features Lyna Khoudri, Rio Vega, Paul Kirscher, and Biran Ba with Cannes Critics’ Week screening both versions.
Dungo has opened up about what it felt like to watch his own history reflected back through someone else’s lens. The filmmakers dug deep asking about his memories, his family, his friends, and what Kristen was really like as a person. He described the experience as strange but deeply emotional, saying they captured the pain and the joy in a way that felt true.
Full Production Details
- Director: Phuong Mai Nguyen
- Screenplay: Fanny Burdino and Samuel Doux, based on the graphic novel by AJ Dungo
- Producers: Priscilla Bertin and Judith Nora
- Executive Producers: David Levine, Nick Shumaker, Yohann Comte, Carole Baraton, Pierre Mazars, Will Sharpe, Stephanie Hsu
- Production Company: Silex Films (Paris), co-produced with Anonymous Content, France 3 Cinéma and Panique!
- French Distributor: Diaphana
- International Sales: Charades
- Runtime: 1 hour 31 minutes
- Streaming: Netflix (all territories outside France)
- Deal Negotiated By: Anonymous Content, CAA Media Finance and Charades on behalf of the filmmakers
