Celebrating the Art, Craft and Business of Animation https://www.awn.com/ en-US 15 Wed, 17 Dec 2025 10:36:56 -0800 Wed, 17 Dec 2025 10:50:34 -0800 https://www.awn.com/news/one-us-brings-swamp-witcher-season-4 Watch the VFX breakdown reel featuring the studio’s work crafting 210 visual effects shots across 4 episodes; highlights include the parasite-ridden Greylock, reimagined Roach Hounds, and the unsettling Mother and Little Rusalka swamp duo. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/one-us-brings-swamp-witcher-season-4 Wed, 17 Dec 2025 10:36:56 PST Technology https://www.awn.com/news/adobe-firefly-introduces-new-ai-video-tools-partner-models New Prompt to Edit controls allow users to make precise edits and remove details from generated content using text; video upscaling with Topaz Astra added; the full beta of Firefly video editor has also launched. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/adobe-firefly-introduces-new-ai-video-tools-partner-models Tue, 16 Dec 2025 7:24:14 PST Technology https://www.awn.com/news/chaos-delivers-maya-houdini-real-time-rendering-and-ai-tools-blender New V-Ray updates include a host of new features and functionality that aim to accelerate playblasts, previs, and lookdev for professional VFX and animation teams. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/chaos-delivers-maya-houdini-real-time-rendering-and-ai-tools-blender Mon, 15 Dec 2025 18:35:11 PST Technology https://www.awn.com/news/quentin-tarantino-and-unreal-engine-bring-kill-bills-lost-chapter-life-fortnite The Oscar-winning director’s long-rumored sequence, ‘The Lost Chapter: Yuki’s Revenge,’ comes alive as Epic Games and The Third Floor use UE’s virtual production and MetaHuman tools to merge live-action, animation, and interactivity in real-time for a ground-breaking cinematic experience. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/quentin-tarantino-and-unreal-engine-bring-kill-bills-lost-chapter-life-fortnite Tue, 09 Dec 2025 15:24:47 PST Technology https://www.awn.com/news/maxon-announces-maxon-one-update The new release, shaped directly by creator feedback, includes upgrades to Cinema 4D, Redshift, ZBrush, and Red Giant; available now to all subscribers. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/maxon-announces-maxon-one-update Thu, 04 Dec 2025 13:05:31 PST Technology https://www.awn.com/animationworld/breaking-rig-bat-fam-and-blood-and-bamboo For director Mike Roth and animation director Garrett Ray, getting the most from your 2D animation means you can’t limit yourself to what the rigs are capable of – you have to force them to get the result you’re after. Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/animationworld/breaking-rig-bat-fam-and-blood-and-bamboo Wed, 03 Dec 2025 15:05:46 PST Technology https://www.awn.com/animationworld/shorts-focus-john-gardners-whats-locked-behind-door Combining rotoscoped public domain footage from the 1962 cult classic ‘The Brain That Wouldn’t Die’ with original 2D/3D animation, the music video presents a surreal meditation on psychological concealment. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/animationworld/shorts-focus-john-gardners-whats-locked-behind-door Mon, 01 Dec 2025 11:02:09 PST Technology https://www.awn.com/news/w-t-fx-and-aws-develop-ai-tools-vfx-artists Deal calls for the companies to explore 3 specific areas where AI can meaningfully improve visual effects workflow efficiency and creative iteration. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/w-t-fx-and-aws-develop-ai-tools-vfx-artists Fri, 28 Nov 2025 7:32:05 PST Technology https://www.awn.com/news/epic-games-bring-unity-games-fortnite Partnership between gaming giants means Unity developers will be able to bring their games to Fortnite, while Unity’s enhanced commerce platform will come to Unreal Engine. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/epic-games-bring-unity-games-fortnite Fri, 21 Nov 2025 12:09:23 PST Technology https://www.awn.com/news/xsens-unveils-next-generation-xsens-link Developed with production teams in mind, the new system is re-engineered to deliver a more efficient workflow with accurate and consistent motion data. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/xsens-unveils-next-generation-xsens-link Fri, 21 Nov 2025 9:02:02 PST Technology https://www.awn.com/news/jason-chen-and-ted-gagliano-launch-desert-eclipse The veteran filmmakers’ new tech-driven production company, located on the Fox lot, is leveraging its proprietary Unreal Engine-based real-time cross-platform pipeline to concurrently develop transmedia properties across animated series, features, and immersive games. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/jason-chen-and-ted-gagliano-launch-desert-eclipse Mon, 17 Nov 2025 14:26:55 PST Technology https://www.awn.com/news/pixar-releases-renderman-27 The most significant version release in a decade introduces RenderMan XPU final-frame renderer, replacing the current RIS architecture; the complete program rewrite takes full advantage of modern hardware platforms. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/pixar-releases-renderman-27 Mon, 17 Nov 2025 10:16:41 PST Technology https://www.awn.com/news/free-moho-144-side-quest-update-released The new glTF/GLB export capabilities allow users to bring their rigs and animation from Moho directly into video game engines, such as Unreal, Unity, or Godot, as well as 3D applications like Blender. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/free-moho-144-side-quest-update-released Wed, 12 Nov 2025 9:09:47 PST Technology https://www.awn.com/news/unreal-engine-57-now-available Latest update includes the new Nanite Foliage geometry rendering system, production-ready Procedural Content Generation and Substrate frameworks, extended MetaHuman integration, and an enhanced in-editor animation toolset. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/unreal-engine-57-now-available Wed, 12 Nov 2025 8:21:37 PST Technology https://www.awn.com/news/previs-pro-releases-update-user-requested-refinements Software introduces Pose Mode, Hand Pose presets, and a series of community-suggested workflow mods to make storyboarding and scene creation more expressive and precise. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/previs-pro-releases-update-user-requested-refinements Wed, 05 Nov 2025 13:23:44 PST Technology https://www.awn.com/news/nvidia-studio-presents-hologram-crowdsourced-music-video Adobe MAX attendees were invited to use AI features in Adobe Premiere or Photoshop to remix and reimagine frames of the original music video by Jordan Sommerlad. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/nvidia-studio-presents-hologram-crowdsourced-music-video Wed, 05 Nov 2025 11:21:43 PST Technology https://www.awn.com/animationworld/how-i-made-new-specimen-unreal-engine-5 Dimitri Vallein, a real-time 3D director and technologist, shares with AWN a comprehensive breakdown of his short film project and how it was created, animated, simulated, and rendered using UE5. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/animationworld/how-i-made-new-specimen-unreal-engine-5 Mon, 27 Oct 2025 16:48:31 PDT Technology https://www.awn.com/news/deemos-launches-groundbreaking-rodin-gen-2-genai-intuitive-3d-creation The pioneering AI 3D research company unveils its most advanced model to date, a 10B-parameter 3D generative AI built on the BANG architecture, geared for professional uses across film, TV and games. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/deemos-launches-groundbreaking-rodin-gen-2-genai-intuitive-3d-creation Thu, 23 Oct 2025 9:39:39 PDT Technology https://www.awn.com/news/angel-studios-drops-wingfeather-saga-season-3-trailer One of the largest crowdfunded 3DCG series in history returns with a new season, titled ‘The Ice Prairies,’ that follows the Igiby family as they get pushed further than ever in their journey to reunite; coming November 12. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/angel-studios-drops-wingfeather-saga-season-3-trailer Mon, 20 Oct 2025 10:53:34 PDT Technology https://www.awn.com/event/european-conference-visual-media-production-2025 The forum brings together production and post-production specialists to discuss the latest in research, advances, and industry practices; the conference takes place in London December 3-4 AWN Staff Editor https://www.awn.com/event/european-conference-visual-media-production-2025 Tue, 14 Oct 2025 9:20:41 PDT Technology https://www.awn.com/animationworld/iru-irish-wilds-call-connection Director Giovanna Ferrari and Cartoon Saloon bring Celtic mythology and feminine resilience to life in the hand-drawn short that reimagines Ireland’s spiritual connection to nature through a fearless young girl’s mythic journey. Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/animationworld/iru-irish-wilds-call-connection Sun, 12 Oct 2025 6:13:46 PDT Technology https://www.awn.com/news/frankenstein-cinematographer-dan-laustsen-set-view-2025 It’s less than one week away… the person behind the camera on Guillermo del Toro’s highly anticipated film joins more than 150 award-winning speakers from the world of animation, VFX, games and AI who will take part in a packed schedule of keynotes, talks, panels, workshops and masterclasses; event runs October 12-17 in Turin, Italy. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/frankenstein-cinematographer-dan-laustsen-set-view-2025 Wed, 08 Oct 2025 16:32:07 PDT Technology https://www.awn.com/news/nvidia-open-sources-audio2face-animation-model Audio2Face accelerates the creation of realistic digital characters by providing real-time facial animation and lip-sync driven by generative AI. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/nvidia-open-sources-audio2face-animation-model Wed, 08 Oct 2025 15:53:55 PDT Technology https://www.awn.com/event/pixelvienna-conference-0 The immersive computer graphics and animation conference brings together professionals, enthusiasts, and students to explore trends in digital art, animation, visual effects, and game development; November 13-15 in Vienna, Austria. AWN Staff Editor https://www.awn.com/event/pixelvienna-conference-0 Mon, 06 Oct 2025 10:48:47 PDT Technology https://www.awn.com/news/epic-games-releases-twinmotion-20252 With added support for Unreal Engine’s Nanite virtualized geometry system, the major update offers significant workflow benefits across numerous industries including Media & Entertainment. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/epic-games-releases-twinmotion-20252 Thu, 02 Oct 2025 17:03:13 PDT Technology https://www.awn.com/vfxworld/death-renderfarm-how-gpu-slicing-replacing-old-model Adapting to modern post-production workflows doesn’t just require new creative tools; reassigning resources can ensure cores used for rendering aren’t running idle or max out. Alex Hatfield https://www.awn.com/vfxworld/death-renderfarm-how-gpu-slicing-replacing-old-model Thu, 02 Oct 2025 12:55:51 PDT Technology https://www.awn.com/news/view-2025-reveals-expansive-full-conference-lineup It’s just 2 weeks away… more than 150 award-winning speakers from the world of animation, VFX, games and AI will take part in a packed schedule of keynotes, talks, panels, workshops and masterclasses; event runs October 12-17 in Turin, Italy. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/view-2025-reveals-expansive-full-conference-lineup Thu, 02 Oct 2025 9:53:50 PDT Technology https://www.awn.com/event/infinity-festival-2025 The eighth annual festival returns to Los Angeles this October 9-10 to celebrate the convergence of art, technology, and entertainment; the Monolith Awards, hosted by Paul Debevec, Chief Research Officer of Eyeline Studios, will take place October 10. AWN Staff Editor https://www.awn.com/event/infinity-festival-2025 Mon, 29 Sep 2025 9:31:29 PDT Technology https://www.awn.com/event/mipjunior-2025 The content market dedicated to kids’ entertainment returns to Cannes, France October 11-12 with networking, screenings, keynotes, and conferences. AWN Staff Editor https://www.awn.com/event/mipjunior-2025 Mon, 29 Sep 2025 9:11:01 PDT Technology https://www.awn.com/event/mipcom-cannes-2025 The world’s largest entertainment content market returns to Cannes October 13-16. AWN Staff Editor https://www.awn.com/event/mipcom-cannes-2025 Mon, 29 Sep 2025 8:59:31 PDT Technology