Celebrating the Art, Craft and Business of Animation https://www.awn.com/ en-US 15 Fri, 19 Dec 2025 15:30:53 -0800 Fri, 19 Dec 2025 15:35:37 -0800 https://www.awn.com/animationworld/ugly-mugs-and-ai-gone-wrong-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-chrome-alone-2-lost-new In Paramount Picture’s animated short, a mysterious company run by an AI Robot, Chrome Dome, seeks to profit off the boy’s new hero status… with cheap, twisted, and lame looking toys that barely resemble the team. Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/animationworld/ugly-mugs-and-ai-gone-wrong-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-chrome-alone-2-lost-new Fri, 19 Dec 2025 15:30:53 PST Short Films 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 Short Films 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 Short Films https://www.awn.com/news/academy-announces-shortlists-10-categories-98th-oscars VFX category narrowed down to 10 films, animated shorts to 15; voting for nominations runs next month, January 12-16, with nomination announcements set for January 22, 2026. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/academy-announces-shortlists-10-categories-98th-oscars Tue, 16 Dec 2025 11:56:43 PST Short Films https://www.awn.com/news/tiny-chef-takes-over-california-academy-sciences Opening this past Saturday, the new planetarium film and exhibit celebrates regeneration and climate action through the beloved character’s whimsical felted lens. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/tiny-chef-takes-over-california-academy-sciences Mon, 15 Dec 2025 10:59:32 PST Short Films https://www.awn.com/news/andreas-dejas-award-winning-mushka-now-streaming Now out on all major VOD platforms, the Disney Legend’s 28-minute hand-drawn animated short, nearly a decade in the making, tells the heartwarming story of a young Ukrainian girl who must decide to save or leave in the wild an orphaned Siberian tiger cub she discovers.  Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/andreas-dejas-award-winning-mushka-now-streaming Mon, 15 Dec 2025 10:17:32 PST Short Films https://www.awn.com/news/noted-photographer-and-filmmaker-paul-de-nooijer-dies-82 Known as one of the forerunners of staged photography made popular in the Netherlands, his stop-motion works combined photography with film, often made in collaboration with son Menno. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/noted-photographer-and-filmmaker-paul-de-nooijer-dies-82 Fri, 12 Dec 2025 15:16:10 PST Short Films https://www.awn.com/news/exclusive-2026-animation-first-festival-announces-full-program The biggest animation festival in the U.S. sets its upcoming slate; Cannes Award winner ‘Dandelion’s Odyssey’ by Momoko Seto to screen opening night; talk with Oscar-winning sound designer Nicolas Becker also revealed; event runs this coming February 3-8 with a focus on Belgian films. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/exclusive-2026-animation-first-festival-announces-full-program Fri, 12 Dec 2025 8:43:30 PST Short Films https://www.awn.com/animationworld/shorts-focus-jordan-michael-blakes-paradise-man-ii Made in 2 months on a laptop using repurposed stock animated GIFS, the uniquely designed, compellingly abstract film tells the story of how Paradise Man’s obsession with golf is waylaid when his mother has an accident, causing him to look deeply within himself. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/animationworld/shorts-focus-jordan-michael-blakes-paradise-man-ii Thu, 11 Dec 2025 16:21:34 PST Short Films https://www.awn.com/news/join-andreas-deja-mushka-streaming-launch-party-december-15 Enter the free raffle to snag your spot at the upcoming gathering in Burbank celebrating the global VOD release of the iconic Disney legend’s directorial debut – and win a day pass to CTNX 2026 as well. Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/news/join-andreas-deja-mushka-streaming-launch-party-december-15 Thu, 11 Dec 2025 14:39:13 PST Short Films https://www.awn.com/animationworld/chris-lavis-talks-girl-who-cried-pearls The Oscar-nominated filmmaker discusses his and Maciek Szczerbowski’s latest stop-motion tour de force, how the tough decision to cut 3 minutes was the right call, and how a ‘beautiful film’ is easily forgotten if the story doesn’t move the audience. Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/animationworld/chris-lavis-talks-girl-who-cried-pearls Thu, 11 Dec 2025 13:56:59 PST Short Films https://www.awn.com/animationworld/shorts-focus-mckinley-bensons-two-ships Writer/director McKinley Benson, writer/producer Mackenzie Benson, and EP Jodi Benson talk about the beauty of the ordinary, like sticky notes left on a refrigerator, and how little moments between two people take on such special meaning in their award winning 2D film about how a couple working opposite schedules tries to maintain their connection through fleeting encounters. Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/animationworld/shorts-focus-mckinley-bensons-two-ships Thu, 11 Dec 2025 11:03:14 PST Short Films https://www.awn.com/animationworld/shorts-focus-andr-s-palmas-shimmer The 3D animated film, produced at Mexico’s Escena Animation Studio, tells the story of shipwrecked family whose father’s efforts to secure their rescue blinds him to his neglect and the mistrust he fostered in his eldest daughter, who forces him to choose between his dreams and his children. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/animationworld/shorts-focus-andr-s-palmas-shimmer Wed, 10 Dec 2025 16:01:20 PST Short Films https://www.awn.com/animationworld/snow-bear-how-aaron-blaise-lost-love-then-found-it-again The famed former Disney animator and ‘Brother Bear’ director channeled the tragic 2007 loss of his wife into his award-winning hand-drawn 2D short film about a lonely polar bear’s quest to find, and eventually make, a friend… until the weather warms up. Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/animationworld/snow-bear-how-aaron-blaise-lost-love-then-found-it-again Wed, 10 Dec 2025 13:28:09 PST Short Films 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 Short Films 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 Short Films 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 Short Films https://www.awn.com/news/adult-swim-smalls-blue-world-short-series-debuts-today-youtube From Boston-based animator Nick Cabana (03mania), the 3-part series follows Dr. Green, a desperate therapist who will try anything to save his business and keep his last remaining client. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/adult-swim-smalls-blue-world-short-series-debuts-today-youtube Fri, 05 Dec 2025 9:49:46 PST Short Films 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 Short Films 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 Short Films https://www.awn.com/animationworld/sequels-star-wars-visions-volume-3-carry-key-franchise-tradition ‘The Duel: Payback,’ ‘The Lost Ones,’ and ‘The Ninth Jedi: Child of Hope’ deftly expand upon characters and storylines established in Volume 1, carefully animated in mixed 2D and 3D by anime studios Kamikaze Douga and ANIMA, Production I.G, and Kinema citrus Co. Trevor Hogg https://www.awn.com/animationworld/sequels-star-wars-visions-volume-3-carry-key-franchise-tradition Tue, 02 Dec 2025 9:33:54 PST Short Films https://www.awn.com/news/andreas-dejas-award-winning-mushka-sets-december-15-streaming-release The Disney Legend’s 28-minute hand-drawn animated short, nearly a decade in the making, tells the heartwarming story of a young Ukrainian girl who must decide to save or leave in the wild an orphaned Siberian tiger cub she discovers; coming to all major global VOD platforms.   Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/andreas-dejas-award-winning-mushka-sets-december-15-streaming-release Mon, 01 Dec 2025 15:16:27 PST Short Films 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 Short Films https://www.awn.com/news/watch-sundance-winner-como-si-la-tierra-se-las-hubiera-tragado In support of the UN’s global ’16 Days of Activism’ campaign calling for an end to violence against women, Natalia León’s animated short, about a woman who returns to Mexico but cannot reconcile her rekindled memories of violence, is now streaming. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/watch-sundance-winner-como-si-la-tierra-se-las-hubiera-tragado Wed, 26 Nov 2025 11:42:59 PST Short Films https://www.awn.com/news/guru-studios-space-between-stars-short-now-dust The animated 2D/3D blended film follows a group of ethereal creatures as they navigate an abandoned space station. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/guru-studios-space-between-stars-short-now-dust Thu, 20 Nov 2025 12:11:42 PST Short Films https://www.awn.com/news/watch-making-two-ships-animated-short Go behind-the-scenes with writer/director McKinley Benson and writer/producer Mackenzie Benson as they detail the production process, from development to sound design, of their award winning 2D film about how a couple working opposite schedules tries to maintain their connection through fleeting encounters. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/watch-making-two-ships-animated-short Thu, 20 Nov 2025 10:16:47 PST Short Films 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 Short Films https://www.awn.com/animationworld/shorts-focus-john-kellys-retirement-plan Domhnall Gleeson stars in this quiet, poignant, and amusing tale of a 40-something man in the throes of an overstimulated, energy poor life, who fantasizes about the beauty and joy he will find in retirement. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/animationworld/shorts-focus-john-kellys-retirement-plan Wed, 19 Nov 2025 15:46:51 PST Short Films https://www.awn.com/news/young-animators-year-awards-2025-winners-announced From a field of 44 nominees across the UK, 7 emerging artists were celebrated for their outstanding original short films across 2D, 3D, and stop-motion categories. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/young-animators-year-awards-2025-winners-announced Wed, 19 Nov 2025 9:35:21 PST Short Films https://www.awn.com/news/modern-uprising-studios-screenvision-media-announce-frame-forward-animated-ai-festival Submissions are now open for the first international festival for AI-enabled, director-driven animation, which celebrates the future of storytelling. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/modern-uprising-studios-screenvision-media-announce-frame-forward-animated-ai-festival Tue, 18 Nov 2025 16:58:09 PST Short Films