Celebrating the Art, Craft and Business of Animation https://www.awn.com/ en-US 15 Thu, 18 Dec 2025 14:44:24 -0800 Thu, 18 Dec 2025 14:44:57 -0800 https://www.awn.com/news/tubi-expands-animation-partnership-animated-comedy-slate Newly added titles include series from the animation collective Explosm, Skybound Entertainment’s ‘PSI Cops,’ and ‘Melvin’s Macabre’ from Meatcanyon. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/tubi-expands-animation-partnership-animated-comedy-slate Thu, 18 Dec 2025 14:44:24 PST Business https://www.awn.com/news/adult-swim-renews-haha-you-clowns-2-additional-seasons The animated comedy from creator Joe Cappa follows three doting teenagers and their recently widowed dad as they navigate life’s awkward, funny, and emotional moments together. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/adult-swim-renews-haha-you-clowns-2-additional-seasons Thu, 18 Dec 2025 13:21:44 PST Business https://www.awn.com/news/rsiff-annecy-festival-partner-boost-saudi-animation-industry Deal calls for Saudi animators to participate in MIFA; annual ‘Best of Annecy’ festival to be held at Culture Square; animated Saudi shorts and features to be showcased at Annecy. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/rsiff-annecy-festival-partner-boost-saudi-animation-industry Wed, 17 Dec 2025 16:58:57 PST Business https://www.awn.com/news/bluebolt-adds-vfx-supervisor-ben-white Boasting nearly 30 years’ experience, the visual effects vet joins from the Cinesite group, where he served as VFX Supervisor on projects including ‘Black Widow,’ ‘Loki,’ and ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.’ L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/bluebolt-adds-vfx-supervisor-ben-white Wed, 17 Dec 2025 16:18:08 PST Business https://www.awn.com/news/w-t-fx-amd-partner-develop-next-generation-vfx-tools The 2 giants have signed an MOU to explore the development of new rendering and AI tools aimed at optimizing visual effects production workflows. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/w-t-fx-amd-partner-develop-next-generation-vfx-tools Tue, 09 Dec 2025 14:05:31 PST Business https://www.awn.com/news/heat-paramount-makes-hostile-takeover-bid-warner-bros-discovery David Ellison’s Paramount Skydance has extended an all-cash offer at $30 per outstanding share (approximately $108.4 billion) for WBD after Netflix’s initial offer was accepted; shareholders have 10 business days to accept or reject the new offer. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/heat-paramount-makes-hostile-takeover-bid-warner-bros-discovery Tue, 09 Dec 2025 9:51:22 PST Business https://www.awn.com/news/netflix-warner-bros-discovery-agree-827-billion-acquisition The cash and stock transaction, valued at $27.75 per share of WBD and approximately $82.7 billion overall, is expected to close in the next 12-18 months. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/netflix-warner-bros-discovery-agree-827-billion-acquisition Mon, 08 Dec 2025 6:09:38 PST Business https://www.awn.com/news/trixter-undergoing-layoffs-and-restructuring The German VFX studio, part of the Cinesite Group, shares that it unfortunately has had to downsize but remains operational and in production on feature film projects. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/trixter-undergoing-layoffs-and-restructuring Fri, 28 Nov 2025 10:38:36 PST Business 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 Business https://www.awn.com/news/toikido-spacetoon-partner-battalor-animated-series The long-term deal will kick off with the production of 3 shows, which will debut across Spacetoon platforms in MENA and Türkiye; the projects will expand into global markets Spring 2027. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/toikido-spacetoon-partner-battalor-animated-series Fri, 21 Nov 2025 16:08:29 PST Business https://www.awn.com/animationworld/mighty-nein-cast-unpacks-their-characters-motives-and-mental-health Critical Role founders / show EPs Travis Willingham, Sam Riegel, Marisha Ray, Taliesin Jaffe, Liam O'Brien, Laura Bailey, Ashley Johnson, Matthew Mercer, and showrunner Tasha Huo talk the dark, insecure, and unstable characters that make the new series so compelling; now streaming on Prime Video. Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/animationworld/mighty-nein-cast-unpacks-their-characters-motives-and-mental-health Fri, 21 Nov 2025 15:08:04 PST Business https://www.awn.com/news/angel-expands-3-series-acquisitions-its-platform Deals for ‘Tuttle Twins,’ ‘Homestead,’ and ‘The Wingfeather Saga’ were funded through a combination of cash and stock for a total aggregate purchase consideration of around $89 million. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/angel-expands-3-series-acquisitions-its-platform Wed, 19 Nov 2025 17:15:17 PST Business https://www.awn.com/news/disney-hideo-kojima-reveal-death-stranding-animated-series-adaptation The legendary game creator will executive produce the new series, now in production and set to stream in 2027, that will tell a completely new story in the video game franchise. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/disney-hideo-kojima-reveal-death-stranding-animated-series-adaptation Thu, 13 Nov 2025 16:18:30 PST Business https://www.awn.com/animationworld/don-bluth-talks-somewhere-out-there-documentary-and-future-production-dreams The famed director, filmmakers Dave LaMattina and Chad Walker, and Lavalle Lee discuss the new film, which recently premiered at SAVFF 2025, that takes an unvarnished look at the career highlights and lowlights of the man who bravely left Disney to make films like ‘The Secret of NIMH.’ Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/animationworld/don-bluth-talks-somewhere-out-there-documentary-and-future-production-dreams Thu, 13 Nov 2025 12:53:11 PST Business https://www.awn.com/news/sudhir-reddy-named-digital-domain-president The studio veteran takes over for Lala Gavgavian as head of the company’s global VFX business, effective immediately. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/sudhir-reddy-named-digital-domain-president Wed, 12 Nov 2025 12:01:52 PST Business https://www.awn.com/news/jennifer-dodge-named-paramount-animation-president The former Spin Master and Nickelodeon executive takes over following Ramsey Naito’s exit: will report to Paramount Pictures co-chairs Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/jennifer-dodge-named-paramount-animation-president Tue, 11 Nov 2025 12:30:17 PST Business https://www.awn.com/news/danny-lin-elected-animation-guild-president The 6 executive board officers selected include former president Jeanette Moreno King, who did not seek re-election but will assume a different role. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/danny-lin-elected-animation-guild-president Mon, 10 Nov 2025 15:21:36 PST Business 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 Business https://www.awn.com/news/phantom-digital-effects-consolidates-studios-phantom-media-group Milk and Lola Post join the previously acquired Tippett Studio, PhantomFX, and Spectre Post under the new PMG creative collective; each studio will retain its approach and creative leadership, ensuring consistent experiences for clients across film, episodic, commercial and immersive content. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/phantom-digital-effects-consolidates-studios-phantom-media-group Tue, 04 Nov 2025 16:26:41 PST Business https://www.awn.com/news/ella-purnell-and-rita-ora-board-viqueens-animated-feature Directed by Harald Zwart (‘The Karate Kid,’ ‘Agent Cody Banks’) the 3DCG comedy adventure about 2 fearless Viking girls returning a stowaway boy to China is set to release in late 2026; teaser to be unveiled by Sola Media at AFM. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/ella-purnell-and-rita-ora-board-viqueens-animated-feature Fri, 31 Oct 2025 8:44:30 PDT Business https://www.awn.com/news/cinesite-group-appoints-2-vfx-supervisors-senior-team Christian Irles transfers from Image Engine to London HQ, while Andy Walker joins the Montreal team from Image Engine New York. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/cinesite-group-appoints-2-vfx-supervisors-senior-team Thu, 30 Oct 2025 17:04:34 PDT Business https://www.awn.com/news/turning-door-animated-feature-gets-underway-announces-cast Oscar winner Alicia Vikander (The Danish Girl), Jamie Dornan (Belfast), Jodie Turner-Smith (Tron: Ares), Oscar-nominated Bill Nighy (Living) and Emmy winner Gillian Anderson (Sex Education) have boarded Nicholas Ashe Bateman’s upcoming family fantasy, now in production. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/turning-door-animated-feature-gets-underway-announces-cast Thu, 30 Oct 2025 11:55:03 PDT Business https://www.awn.com/news/hulu-renews-king-hill-seasons-16-and-17 Mike Judge and Greg Daniels’ Emmy and Annie Award-winning comedy gets a 20-episode order after its successful return this past August for the first of 2 new seasons on the streamer. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/hulu-renews-king-hill-seasons-16-and-17 Thu, 30 Oct 2025 10:12:18 PDT Business https://www.awn.com/news/ramsey-naito-exits-president-paramount-animation Following the Skydance buyout and appointment of new Paramount CEO David Ellison, the senior executive leaves the post she assumed in 2021; 1,000 employees were let go at the studio this week. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/ramsey-naito-exits-president-paramount-animation Thu, 30 Oct 2025 8:20:48 PDT Business https://www.awn.com/animationworld/inside-deep-dark-animated-world-critical-roles-mighty-nein The all-new fantasy series from ‘The Legend of Vox Machina’s creators, adapted from their second campaign, follows a band of chaotic adventurers as they confront their troubled pasts and forge their destinies in a world of magic, mystery, and unexpected heroism; it hits Prime Video November 19. Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/animationworld/inside-deep-dark-animated-world-critical-roles-mighty-nein Fri, 24 Oct 2025 14:23:03 PDT Business https://www.awn.com/event/kidscreen-summit-2026 The annual global media conference, dedicated exclusively to the kids’ entertainment sector, takes place February 22-25, 2026 in San Diego. AWN Staff Editor https://www.awn.com/event/kidscreen-summit-2026 Fri, 24 Oct 2025 10:58:35 PDT Business https://www.awn.com/news/curtis-baxter-pen-war-no-name-webtoon-series The writer is also adapting the epic Robert Repino sci-fi book franchise into an 8-episode animated series; Webtoon slated for early 2026 release. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/curtis-baxter-pen-war-no-name-webtoon-series Thu, 23 Oct 2025 8:58:11 PDT Business https://www.awn.com/news/scholastic-entertainment-9-story-media-group-announce-joint-slate New kids and family programming includes shows in development, recent third-party acquisitions, and new episodes of returning favorites. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/scholastic-entertainment-9-story-media-group-announce-joint-slate Wed, 22 Oct 2025 12:29:15 PDT Business https://www.awn.com/animationworld/mike-mcmahan-and-josh-bycel-reflect-solar-opposites-final-season The showrunners and co-creators discuss how, for now, they’ve concluded their hilarious Hulu animated comedy, wrapping up key arcs, keeping others hanging, and always pushing for what great adult animation can deliver for audiences. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/animationworld/mike-mcmahan-and-josh-bycel-reflect-solar-opposites-final-season Tue, 21 Oct 2025 17:05:03 PDT Business https://www.awn.com/news/studio-100-film-sets-halloween-vs-day-dead-animated-feature A co-production with Lunch Films, the 3DCG family adventure blends the spooky charm of Halloween with the spirit of Día de los Muertos; slated for a 2028 theatrical release. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/studio-100-film-sets-halloween-vs-day-dead-animated-feature Tue, 21 Oct 2025 12:37:06 PDT Business