The Woody Allen-narrated Bobby Fischer animated short showcases concept art

A quarter century after voicing Z in Disney’s CG feature “Antz,” Woody Allen returns to the recording booth for the upcoming Spanish animated short “Mr. Fischer’s Chair,” which will formally include several key co-producers during this year’s Annecy Festival. The directors of the film have also given Variety An exclusive look at early concept art for the project.

„Mr. Fischer’s Chair” revisits the 1972 World Chess Championship, where Bobby Fischer faced off against Boris Spassky. During the 17th game of their „match of the century,” the Soviets accused the Americans of manipulating Fischer’s chair to the detriment of his opponent, the full Eames Executive Seat. led to the study.

Created and directed by filmmakers and producers Xose Zapata and Lorenzo Degl Innocenti, who recently teamed up on the Spanish Academy Goya Award-winning animated short „The Monkey.” Zapata is handling the screenplay. “Mr. Fischer’s chair.”

“Mr. Fischer’s Chair” will be a four-country co-production between Bovista Films in Portugal, Fashion Pictures in the UK, Imagic TV in Spain and Tarce in the US.” Lead producers include Chris Burnell for Bovista, Jordi P. Oliva for Imag TV and Adam B. Stern for Tarce. Narrating Apart from this, Alan also co-produces through the Tarsay label.

Allen has worked almost exclusively on foreign-produced projects in recent years, as many American companies have kept their distance since Dylan Farrow’s sexual abuse allegations were rekindled by the #MeToo movement. Allen has denied the allegations.

Additional financing for the production is provided by the Prime Asian Alternatives Assets VCC fund managed by Singapore-based N PrimePartners. Further international participation will come from the DigiPen team university’s Spanish and Singaporean branches, which will recruit young alumni to receive hands-on training while working on the short film.

According to Zapata, “The future is not AI; The future will always be young talent. We need to support young artists with professional programs and guide the next generation into an uncertain future.

The makers of the film are currently in talks with popular streaming platform Filmin for Spanish distribution and hope to close the deal soon.

According to Oliva, „The combination of talent on this project and the co-production involvement of Tarsay Films, the work done at Bovista Films, was the basis for announcing the start of production.

Zapata also shared early concept art from the project, which is slated for release in August 2025.