Celebrating the Art, Craft and Business of Animation https://www.awn.com/ en-US 15 Tue, 16 Dec 2025 07:24:14 -0800 Tue, 16 Dec 2025 07:25:17 -0800 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 Art 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 Art 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 Art https://www.awn.com/news/creating-worlds-disney-and-20th-century-studios-cinematic-art-dylan-cole-released The Oscar-nominated co-production designer of ‘Avatar: The Way of Water,’ who oversees design on the ‘Avatar’ franchise, shares his incredible artwork, including concept sketches, posters, and matte paintings, from a 20-year career. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/creating-worlds-disney-and-20th-century-studios-cinematic-art-dylan-cole-released Tue, 18 Nov 2025 11:30:54 PST Art 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 Art https://www.awn.com/animationworld/wednesdays-gramps-who-knew-grandpa-had-game Directors Chris and Justin Copeland, and producer Shabrayia Cleaver, discuss their collaboration on the new DreamWorks animated short about a teenage boy who visits his Gramps at a seemingly boring assisted living facility, only to find they had more than he thought in common. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/animationworld/wednesdays-gramps-who-knew-grandpa-had-game Wed, 12 Nov 2025 15:58:33 PST Art 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 Art https://www.awn.com/news/exclusive-excerpt-toxie-team-5-comic-toxic-avenger AHOY Comics shares the cover and Pages 1-5 reveal of the fifth of 5 issues; Toxie crosses mops with Swamp Cop and Schitt, the crooked mutant cops from ‘Justice Warriors;’ available October 29. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/exclusive-excerpt-toxie-team-5-comic-toxic-avenger Thu, 23 Oct 2025 11:07:20 PDT Art 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 Art https://www.awn.com/animationworld/getting-down-and-glittery-ground-level-look-gabbys-dollhouse-movie For Head of Character Animation CJ Sarachene and producer Steven Schweickart, dailies on the DreamWorks project often saw calls for brighter, bolder, and ‘more glitter’ as they built on the hit TV show’s colorful vibrancy to create a fun, inviting film that celebrates the magic of play; now in theaters. Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/animationworld/getting-down-and-glittery-ground-level-look-gabbys-dollhouse-movie Tue, 07 Oct 2025 15:17:46 PDT Art https://www.awn.com/event/giraf-2025-returns-november-13-16 The Quickdraw Animation Society’s annual event is back for its 21st year with the best independent and experimental animation from around the world. AWN Staff Editor https://www.awn.com/event/giraf-2025-returns-november-13-16 Mon, 06 Oct 2025 10:07:15 PDT Art https://www.awn.com/news/iconic-ettamogah-hotel-sale-alongside-rare-australian-cartoon-catalogue The listing includes a cartoon portfolio with around 1,500 original artworks and video footage. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/iconic-ettamogah-hotel-sale-alongside-rare-australian-cartoon-catalogue Mon, 29 Sep 2025 10:26:24 PDT Art https://www.awn.com/blog/creators-manifesto The call to arms in the age of AI. Kevin Geiger https://www.awn.com/blog/creators-manifesto Mon, 29 Sep 2025 7:26:22 PDT Art https://www.awn.com/news/wacom-blender-expand-strategic-digital-tool-partnership The collaboration will focus on optimization of the pen and touch performance and the development of a next-generation Blender experience for Android tablets. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/wacom-blender-expand-strategic-digital-tool-partnership Wed, 24 Sep 2025 7:39:01 PDT Art https://www.awn.com/news/pixar-announces-renderman-art-challenge-2025 In the ‘First Contact’ themed contest, artists are invited to channel interstellar magic and all things alien; submissions accepted until November 10. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/pixar-announces-renderman-art-challenge-2025 Mon, 22 Sep 2025 11:43:25 PDT Art https://www.awn.com/news/lightbox-expo-2025-reveals-expansive-program The 7th annual event features panels on ‘KPop Demon Hunters,’ ‘Wicked,’ ‘Wednesday,’ ‘Zootopia 2,’ and ‘Star Wars,’ plus demos, an Artist Alley, and awards ceremony; runs October 24-26 in Pasadena, California. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/lightbox-expo-2025-reveals-expansive-program Thu, 18 Sep 2025 11:51:50 PDT Art https://www.awn.com/event/spark-animation-2025 Spark CG returns to Vancouver with its animation festival and conference featuring an expansive program of talks, presentations, screenings, and network opportunities; the events run September 18-21. AWN Staff Editor https://www.awn.com/event/spark-animation-2025 Fri, 12 Sep 2025 12:04:28 PDT Art https://www.awn.com/news/glitch-and-oni-press-launch-murder-drones-official-graphic-novel-kickstarter Wyatt Kennedy and Jo Mi-Gyeong adapt all 8 episodes of Liam Vickers’ animated series in a self-contained, stand-alone storytelling experience. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/glitch-and-oni-press-launch-murder-drones-official-graphic-novel-kickstarter Wed, 10 Sep 2025 16:35:31 PDT Art https://www.awn.com/news/kitbash3d-greyscalegorilla-unite-under-one-roof The founder-led merger will allow both teams to accelerate R&D, expand asset libraries, and collaborate on tools; current pricing and user support will not be disrupted. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/kitbash3d-greyscalegorilla-unite-under-one-roof Tue, 09 Sep 2025 11:18:22 PDT Art https://www.awn.com/news/rookies-liv-golfs-cleeks-gc-launch-global-bag-design-contest ‘The Art of Golf’ competition invites non-professionals to reimagine the golf bag for the theme ‘Tradition Refreshed;’ entries close October 15. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/rookies-liv-golfs-cleeks-gc-launch-global-bag-design-contest Fri, 05 Sep 2025 9:17:39 PDT Art https://www.awn.com/news/adapt-one-launches-adapt-live-webinar-series The exclusive online series, which features artist Lorin Wood, kicks off this September with live demos, lectures, and Q&As for artists worldwide. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/adapt-one-launches-adapt-live-webinar-series Fri, 29 Aug 2025 13:56:30 PDT Art https://www.awn.com/animationworld/tokyo-exhibition-pays-tribute-leiji-matsumoto Anime columnist Andrew Osmond profiles the great artist, famed for ‘Galaxy Express 999,’ ‘Captain Harlock’ and ‘Space Battleship Yamato,’ and offers a glimpse of what’s on show. Andrew Osmond https://www.awn.com/animationworld/tokyo-exhibition-pays-tribute-leiji-matsumoto Thu, 21 Aug 2025 13:59:25 PDT Art https://www.awn.com/news/cyberagent-drops-summer-hikaru-died-story-visual-behind-scenes-series Watch the making-of from the anime adaptation of the manga by Mokumokuren, which follows a boy who experiences strange incidents with an entity impersonating his best friend; now streaming on Netflix. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/cyberagent-drops-summer-hikaru-died-story-visual-behind-scenes-series Tue, 19 Aug 2025 13:53:57 PDT Art https://www.awn.com/news/77th-emmy-awards-juried-category-winners-announced Artists on ‘Arcane,’ ‘Love, Death + Robots,’ and ‘Octopus!’ were among those awarded for work in background design, character animation, character design, color, motion design, production design, and storyboarding; winners will be formally announced on September 6 as part of the two-night Creative Arts Emmy Awards ceremony on September 6-7. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/77th-emmy-awards-juried-category-winners-announced Tue, 12 Aug 2025 16:51:22 PDT Art https://www.awn.com/news/exclusive-carbon-based-art-lewis-larosa-kickstarter-set-launch 250+ page hardcover career retrospective artbook project, from Oni Press, of the American illustrator’s dynamic, intense, reference-based realistic work, including rarely seen covers, character designs, and concepts, goes live on August 11. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/exclusive-carbon-based-art-lewis-larosa-kickstarter-set-launch Thu, 07 Aug 2025 9:15:52 PDT Art https://www.awn.com/animationworld/avatar-last-airbender-stars-talk-new-beasts-and-bender-babies Celebrating the 5X Annie Award and Primetime Emmy-winning series’ 20th Anniversary, the iconic and influential Nickelodeon show’s co-creators and key cast led a nostalgic panel at last week’s San Diego Comic-Con filled with sing-alongs, franchise announcements, and never-before-seen art. Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/animationworld/avatar-last-airbender-stars-talk-new-beasts-and-bender-babies Wed, 30 Jul 2025 14:03:40 PDT Art https://www.awn.com/news/wacom-announces-movinkpad-11-standalone-tablet Designed for digital sketching and drawing and geared towards young creatives and aspiring professionals, the device will be available for purchase on the Wacom eStore, Amazon, Best Buy, and Wacom authorized resellers. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/wacom-announces-movinkpad-11-standalone-tablet Tue, 22 Jul 2025 10:55:02 PDT Art https://www.awn.com/news/mike-mignola-and-bruce-zick-team-new-hellboy-universe-comic See exclusive sketches with creator commentary - Dark Horse’s new 4-issue miniseries, ‘Captain Henry and the Graveyard of Time,’ follows an intrepid time-travelling explorer on a journey into a new dimension, coming October 22. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/mike-mignola-and-bruce-zick-team-new-hellboy-universe-comic Tue, 15 Jul 2025 9:13:37 PDT Art https://www.awn.com/news/matt-bors-acclaimed-artists-team-toxic-avenger-comic-book-series From AHOY Comics, Issue #1 will land in stores on July 9, ahead of the ‘Toxic Crusaders’ videogame and ‘The Toxic Avenger’ feature release, which stars Peter Dinklage as Toxie. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/matt-bors-acclaimed-artists-team-toxic-avenger-comic-book-series Tue, 08 Jul 2025 16:35:45 PDT Art https://www.awn.com/news/oni-press-announces-new-adventure-time-5-comic-book-story-arc The ‘Friends to the End’ arc begins in the upcoming issue, from writer Nick Winn and artist Kenzie Bugg; releases September 9. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/oni-press-announces-new-adventure-time-5-comic-book-story-arc Tue, 01 Jul 2025 15:05:24 PDT Art