Celebrating the Art, Craft and Business of Animation https://www.awn.com/ en-US 15 Wed, 10 Dec 2025 12:23:00 -0800 Wed, 17 Dec 2025 02:51:03 -0800 https://www.awn.com/animationworld/whale-52-sings-song-hope-lonely Indie animation legend Bill Plympton’s latest short film, directed by Emmy-winning actor Daniel Neiden and starring Bruce Vilanch, tells the emotional and uplifting story of an aging widower, a school volunteer, working with a young selective mute boy, who connect through a written journal and the true legend of the ‘loneliest’ whale.   Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/animationworld/whale-52-sings-song-hope-lonely Wed, 10 Dec 2025 12:23:00 PST Diversity and Inclusion https://www.awn.com/animationworld/exploring-world-animation-animation-atlas Columnist Andrew Osmond interviews ‘Ghibliotheque’ podcasters Michael Leader and Jake Cunningham about their new book that travels the globe to dig deep into the medium (hint - it’s not a genre.) Andrew Osmond https://www.awn.com/animationworld/exploring-world-animation-animation-atlas Tue, 09 Dec 2025 16:38:22 PST Diversity and Inclusion https://www.awn.com/animationworld/national-film-board-canada-ep-christine-no-l-girl-who-cried-pearls-and-shaping-future The Executive Producer reflects on acclaimed projects like Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski’s new film, her support for diverse creators, and her efforts to sustain the NFB’s legacy of innovation through a collaborative production model that continues to achieve major festival and awards success. National Film Board of Canada https://www.awn.com/animationworld/national-film-board-canada-ep-christine-no-l-girl-who-cried-pearls-and-shaping-future Thu, 04 Dec 2025 7:24:20 PST Diversity and Inclusion https://www.awn.com/animationworld/re-view-kpop-demon-hunters-beauty-broken-glass Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans’ hit animated musical about a trio of women battling against a band of demons intent on taking over the world presents big ideas with a deceptively light touch; its gorgeously accessible imagery and brisk toe-tapping pace are as catchy as the lyrics of its songs. Dr. Maria Elena Gutierrez https://www.awn.com/animationworld/re-view-kpop-demon-hunters-beauty-broken-glass Mon, 01 Dec 2025 12:46:01 PST Diversity and Inclusion https://www.awn.com/news/world-vfx-day-2025-announces-speaker-line The first set of presenters is confirmed for the annual free event that shines a spotlight on the VFX and animation industries; YouTube livestream set for December 8. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/world-vfx-day-2025-announces-speaker-line Mon, 24 Nov 2025 15:48:11 PST Diversity and Inclusion https://www.awn.com/news/glas-animation-festival-2025-announces-official-selections Taking place in person in Los Angeles from December 6-7, the event will feature competition screenings, panels, Q&As, parties, and other offerings; trailer and poster also shared. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/glas-animation-festival-2025-announces-official-selections Thu, 13 Nov 2025 10:52:35 PST Diversity and Inclusion https://www.awn.com/news/new-animated-short-disarm-set-after-2021-atlanta-spa-shooting-seeks-funding Running through November 6, the film’s Seed&Spark campaign offers supporters a tiered set of incentives; the film, which addresses anti-Asian hate, is slated for submission to festivals in 2026. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/new-animated-short-disarm-set-after-2021-atlanta-spa-shooting-seeks-funding Mon, 03 Nov 2025 12:54:38 PST Diversity and Inclusion https://www.awn.com/news/karen-fang-discusses-background-artist-life-and-work-tyrus-wong The professor and film scholar’s definitive biography of the legendary artist, a Chinese immigrant, details how his storied career quietly shaped American visual culture. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/karen-fang-discusses-background-artist-life-and-work-tyrus-wong Thu, 23 Oct 2025 13:05:44 PDT Diversity and Inclusion https://www.awn.com/news/2025-24-hours-animation-contest-winners-announced The 23rd annual global student competition saw close to 800 films judged, with 7 teams handed over $130,000 in prizes. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/2025-24-hours-animation-contest-winners-announced Mon, 20 Oct 2025 10:18:51 PDT Diversity and Inclusion https://www.awn.com/animationworld/chris-appelhans-reflects-kpop-demon-hunters-and-scad-impact-award The writer/director of the smash Netflix animated musical, honored at last month’s SCAD AnimationFest, talks about the film’s exploration of identity, acceptance and found family and how that resonated with him as one of the film’s creators. Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/animationworld/chris-appelhans-reflects-kpop-demon-hunters-and-scad-impact-award Thu, 09 Oct 2025 15:11:38 PDT Diversity and Inclusion https://www.awn.com/news/non-speaking-autistic-character-paolo-joins-carl-collector Upcoming episode marks first time PBS Kids has represented an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device in a show; airs October 13 as during week of new episodes. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/non-speaking-autistic-character-paolo-joins-carl-collector Thu, 18 Sep 2025 13:53:54 PDT Diversity and Inclusion https://www.awn.com/news/laugh-factory-host-autism-entertainment-fundraiser The September 7 event, featuring Netflix’s ‘Love on the Spectrum’ star Dani Bowman, will spotlight stand-up comedians alongside live musical and improv performances, plus a documentary short film premiere. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/laugh-factory-host-autism-entertainment-fundraiser Thu, 04 Sep 2025 14:02:55 PDT Diversity and Inclusion https://www.awn.com/news/flamin-animations-announces-new-animator-cohort Film London’s commissioning program for early-career Black and African, Asian, indigenous, Latin American, or mixed-heritage backgrounds animators welcomes David Adeyemi, Jasmine Hewitt, Brandon Saunders, and Lysander Wong to its 2025-2026 program. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/flamin-animations-announces-new-animator-cohort Wed, 03 Sep 2025 10:10:58 PDT Diversity and Inclusion https://www.awn.com/animationworld/18-months-subway-baby-and-miraculous-adoption Exploring love, social stigma and permanent families, Klick Health and Zombie Studio’s powerful stop-motion short tells the true story of an infant – Kevin - found in a New York subway and the two men - Pete Mercurio and Danny Stewart - who unexpectedly became his fathers. Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/animationworld/18-months-subway-baby-and-miraculous-adoption Tue, 02 Sep 2025 14:56:08 PDT Diversity and Inclusion https://www.awn.com/animationworld/stories-x-women-tales-jinns-genius-aliens-immigrants-and-family-curses From ghost stories and family curses to intergalactic misfits and urban rabbits, WIA’s 2025 animation creators’ cohort features 5 bold new projects from women across the globe, each exploring identity, legacy, and self-discovery in imaginative, culturally rich worlds. Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/animationworld/stories-x-women-tales-jinns-genius-aliens-immigrants-and-family-curses Tue, 26 Aug 2025 17:00:29 PDT Diversity and Inclusion https://www.awn.com/news/ibermedia-next-announces-30-call-winners The new edition’s 15 selected projects were announced at MIFA during Annecy 2025; technology, diversity and risky narratives mark the new generation of winners. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/ibermedia-next-announces-30-call-winners Tue, 01 Jul 2025 14:42:24 PDT Diversity and Inclusion https://www.awn.com/news/academy-invites-534-new-members The list of new AMPAS member invitees includes 41 in Animation, 25 in Visual Effects, 29 in Production Design, and 25 in Production and Technology. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/academy-invites-534-new-members Thu, 26 Jun 2025 12:58:33 PDT Diversity and Inclusion https://www.awn.com/animationworld/maddie-triggs-minimalist-masterpiece-made-visually-impaired-viewers Irish animation studio Turnip & Duck’s new 2D series on CBeebies about a 7-year-old visually-impaired girl and her doggy best friend turns on its head the old adage that ‘actions and visuals speak louder than words.’ Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/animationworld/maddie-triggs-minimalist-masterpiece-made-visually-impaired-viewers Wed, 25 Jun 2025 14:05:53 PDT Diversity and Inclusion https://www.awn.com/news/asifa-hollywood-sets-meet-and-greet-annecy-2025 Get-together for ASIFA members and other chapters will be held on June 12 at 7 p.m. at Espace Détente. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/asifa-hollywood-sets-meet-and-greet-annecy-2025 Wed, 04 Jun 2025 17:46:58 PDT Diversity and Inclusion https://www.awn.com/news/lineup-set-wia-world-summit-annecy-2025 9th edition of the day-long symposium, running next Monday, June 9, will feature panels and conversations spotlighting key thought leaders, filmmakers, and executives discussing the theme, ‘The Future is Animated’ Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/lineup-set-wia-world-summit-annecy-2025 Wed, 04 Jun 2025 17:16:10 PDT Diversity and Inclusion https://www.awn.com/news/kepyr-launches-2025-kindred-spirits-campaign ‘The Simpsons,’ ‘Book of Life,’ ‘Ben 10’ creators lead art auction to support refugee children in Mexico; the eBay auction is organized and curated by writer and producer Henry Gilroy.  L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/kepyr-launches-2025-kindred-spirits-campaign Mon, 02 Jun 2025 15:45:37 PDT Diversity and Inclusion https://www.awn.com/news/two-black-boys-paradise-premiere-frameline-film-festival The stop-motion short, based on a poem by Dean Atta and narrated by Jordan Stephens, will debut at Frameline49 that runs June 18-28 in San Francisco. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/two-black-boys-paradise-premiere-frameline-film-festival Mon, 19 May 2025 15:29:07 PDT Diversity and Inclusion https://www.awn.com/news/exclusive-supernova-design-drops-creatures-chaos-teaser-trailer Studio’s 6-minute 2D short explores mental health with a story of 4 neighbors whose emotional struggles take on the physical forms of creatures they attempt to conceal; world premiere set for May 3 at Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/exclusive-supernova-design-drops-creatures-chaos-teaser-trailer Fri, 02 May 2025 10:43:10 PDT Diversity and Inclusion https://www.awn.com/news/dancing-atoms-shares-groundbreaking-animation-filmmaking-competition-finalists Winners of the creative challenges in animation, VFX, virtual production, and AR/VR to be revealed at the inaugural WAVES Summit running May 1-4 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/dancing-atoms-shares-groundbreaking-animation-filmmaking-competition-finalists Wed, 30 Apr 2025 16:44:37 PDT Diversity and Inclusion https://www.awn.com/news/gods-gang-celebrates-mini-season-finale-world-autism-month The multicultural action-adventure animated series has partnered with Autism in Entertainment and Spectrum Laboratory to support ongoing employment opportunities for autistic talent; star Atticus Baldwin to appear at ‘Neurodiversity Night of Laughs’ at the Laugh Factory on April 28. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/gods-gang-celebrates-mini-season-finale-world-autism-month Thu, 17 Apr 2025 16:09:02 PDT Diversity and Inclusion https://www.awn.com/news/new-donkey-hodie-episodes-special-announced The latest episodes of Fred Rogers Productions and Spiffy Pictures’ puppet series kick off April 14 on PBS Kids; half-hour special ‘A Donkey Hodie Road Trip’ premieres April 17. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/new-donkey-hodie-episodes-special-announced Mon, 14 Apr 2025 7:45:04 PDT Diversity and Inclusion https://www.awn.com/event/animafest-zagreb-2025 The World Festival of Animated Film returns to Zagreb June 2-7, 2025. AWN Staff Editor https://www.awn.com/event/animafest-zagreb-2025 Tue, 08 Apr 2025 12:13:32 PDT Diversity and Inclusion https://www.awn.com/news/flamin-animations-showcases-latest-cohorts-work-tnbfc-xpo Artists in the fourth year of Film London’s commissioning program for early-career Black animators shared short film works in progress; applications for new round opens March 31. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/flamin-animations-showcases-latest-cohorts-work-tnbfc-xpo Fri, 28 Mar 2025 11:52:31 PDT Diversity and Inclusion https://www.awn.com/news/wia-announces-2025-stories-x-women-program-participants 5 selected delegates will receive mentoring and coaching sessions from industry experts to prep to pitch projects at Annecy 2025; initiative supports women animators from emerging animation communities in Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/wia-announces-2025-stories-x-women-program-participants Fri, 28 Mar 2025 9:42:23 PDT Diversity and Inclusion https://www.awn.com/news/2025-wia-scholarship-winners-announced 14 scholarship recipients were selected from 179 worldwide applicants representing 77 schools; an additional 41 received honorable mentions. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/2025-wia-scholarship-winners-announced Thu, 27 Mar 2025 14:51:52 PDT Diversity and Inclusion