Pooya Afzali's 'Chance' at Annecy 2026: Death and Fatal Coincidence

Iranian filmmaker Pooya Afzali (born 1983) presented his animated short 'Chance' at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in 2026. The film humorously explores the role of chance in the deaths of historical figures, including Greek tragedian Aeschylus, American writer Tennessee Williams, and civil rights activist Marcus Garvey. Afzali was inspired to make the film after returning from Annecy the previous year and learning that his father had terminal cancer. He concluded that only chance can describe human life. The film begins in ancient Greece with Draco, the first legislator of Athens, who died after being smothered by hats and clothes thrown by an enthusiastic crowd. Afzali used different visual styles and music for each episode, employing six teams of Iranian animators to showcase their talent. He noted that Iranian animators face severe financial challenges due to the country's deteriorating economy and lack of government support for those who oppose the regime. The film was self-financed. Afzali deliberately chose deaths where chance was the primary factor, excluding cases he deemed mere foolishness.