Celebrating the Art, Craft and Business of Animation https://www.awn.com/ en-US 15 Fri, 19 Dec 2025 13:39:58 -0800 Fri, 19 Dec 2025 13:41:51 -0800 https://www.awn.com/news/millimages-storyzoo-friends-partner-linear-fast-avod-and-svod-channels Deal to bring kids’ series to European viewers calls for licensing of more than 300 episodes from globally recognized preschool catalog, including ‘Louie (Louie, Draw Me),’ ‘Mouk,’ ‘Hilltop Hospital,’ and ‘Molang.’ Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/news/millimages-storyzoo-friends-partner-linear-fast-avod-and-svod-channels Fri, 19 Dec 2025 13:39:58 PST Business 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/angel-release-andy-serkis-animal-farm-theaters The 3DCG adaptation of George Orwell’s classic novel boasts a voice cast that includes Seth Rogen, Glenn Close, Kieran Culkin, and Woody Harrelson; hits the cineplex on May 1, 2026. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/angel-release-andy-serkis-animal-farm-theaters Thu, 18 Dec 2025 13:57:25 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/academy-youtube-partner-exclusive-global-rights-oscars From 2029 through 2033, the annual awards, including red carpet coverage, behind-the-scenes content, and Governors Ball access, will be available live and for free on YouTube, and for YouTube TV subscribers in the United States. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/academy-youtube-partner-exclusive-global-rights-oscars Thu, 18 Dec 2025 7:39:31 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/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 Business 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 Business https://www.awn.com/news/webtoon-announces-2026-creator-program-expansion A new suite of programs will empower more Creators with expanded monetization opportunities and international creator engagement; Creator Residency will roll out in 2026. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/webtoon-announces-2026-creator-program-expansion Thu, 11 Dec 2025 12:24:02 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/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 Business https://www.awn.com/news/moonbug-names-cocomelon-movie-director-music-producer Kat Good takes the helm, and Justin Tranter boards as executive music producer, for the first feature in the franchise, a 3DCG film animated by the DNEG Group. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/moonbug-names-cocomelon-movie-director-music-producer Thu, 04 Dec 2025 8:27:40 PST Business https://www.awn.com/news/xilam-animation-launches-toon-box-streaming-platform The new kid-safe app features 1,000+ episodes from the Xilam library alongside exclusive music, games, and storybooks. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/xilam-animation-launches-toon-box-streaming-platform Wed, 03 Dec 2025 15:57:34 PST Business https://www.awn.com/news/warner-bros-discovery-commissions-clawlolo-season-2 Rymanco Ventures’ non-dialogue 2D musical comedy series will air exclusively across Warner’s kids networks in EMEA, as well as its global Cartoonito YouTube channels. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/warner-bros-discovery-commissions-clawlolo-season-2 Wed, 03 Dec 2025 8:45:44 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/fx-orders-far-cry-anthology-series-noah-hawley-and-rob-mac The ‘Alien: Earth’ and ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ creators will executive produce the limited series, based on Ubisoft’s video game franchise. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/fx-orders-far-cry-anthology-series-noah-hawley-and-rob-mac Wed, 26 Nov 2025 7:52:00 PST Business https://www.awn.com/news/critical-role-mighty-nein-origins-launches-webtoon The vertical scrolling webcomic, published in partnership with Dark Horse Comics, serves as a prequel for Critical Role’s new animated series ‘The Mighty Nein,’ which just debuted on Prime Video. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/critical-role-mighty-nein-origins-launches-webtoon Tue, 25 Nov 2025 16:16:50 PST Business 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 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/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 Business 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 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/doh-simpsons-stream-now-available-all-disney-subscribers Beginning today, the streamer is offering the 24/7 stream, with 35 seasons offered in chronological order, to all subscribers. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/doh-simpsons-stream-now-available-all-disney-subscribers Wed, 19 Nov 2025 16:55:56 PST Business 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 Business https://www.awn.com/news/tickets-now-sale-53rd-annie-awards The annual event that recognizes the animation industry’s most talented artists and projects returns to UCLA’s Royce Hall on Saturday, February 21, 2026. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/tickets-now-sale-53rd-annie-awards Mon, 17 Nov 2025 11:51:10 PST Business 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 Business