Woody Allen-Narrated Animated Short ‘Mr. Fischer’s Chair’ in Production

The four-studio co-production centers on the face-off between Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky during the 1972 World Chess Championship; release set for August 2025.

Famed, Oscar-winning director Woody Allen is narrating the upcoming Spanish animated short Mr. Fischer’s Chair, which is now in production, Variety reports.

The publication also published a set of exclusive concept pieces for the film, centered on the dramatic face-off between Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky during the 1972 World Chess Championship, which led to an exhaustive examination of the Eames Executive seat.

Creators Xosé Zapata and Lorenzo Degl’ Innocenti direct, with Zapata serving as writer. The pair recently worked together on the Goya Award-winning animated short, The Monkey.

Mr. Fischer’s Chair will utilize a mix of CG and hand-drawn 2D animation. Young alumni of the DigiPen Group university Spanish and Singaporean branches will be selected to receive practical training while working on the short.

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

The project is a four-country co-production between Boavista Filmes in Portugal, Passion Pictures in the U.K., Imagic TV in Spain and DareSay in the U.S. Chris Burnel produces for Boavista, alongside Jordi B. Oliva for Imagic TV and Adam B. Stern for DareSay. Allen also produces for DareSay. The short is set to add additional co-producers during Annecy.

Mr. Fischer’s Chair is set for an August 2025 release.

Laurén Alexa's picture

Journalist, antique shop owner, aspiring gemologist—Laurén brings a diverse perspective to animation, where every frame reflects her varied passions.