Celebrating the Art, Craft and Business of Animation https://www.awn.com/ en-US 15 Mon, 15 Dec 2025 18:35:11 -0800 Mon, 15 Dec 2025 18:40:03 -0800 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 Previs/Postvis/Visualization https://www.awn.com/news/visual-effects-society-announces-ves-handbook-fourth-edition The newest VES Handbook of Visual Effects edition includes contributions from 30 new VFX experts and covers new topics like AI; releases December 18 from Routledge. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/visual-effects-society-announces-ves-handbook-fourth-edition Mon, 08 Dec 2025 5:34:15 PST Previs/Postvis/Visualization https://www.awn.com/news/world-vfx-day-2025-releases-full-program The final lineup for the free event, which each year spotlights the VFX and animation industries, features over 65 speakers across 15 hours of talks; will live stream via YouTube on December 8. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/world-vfx-day-2025-releases-full-program Thu, 04 Dec 2025 17:19:45 PST Previs/Postvis/Visualization 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 Previs/Postvis/Visualization https://www.awn.com/animationworld/toyota-launches-grip-toyota-movie-anime-campaign-short Directed by Yoriaki Mochizuki, the 10-minute piece from Intertrend Communications marks the final chapter in the car company’s GRIP series and the brand’s first-ever anime film. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/animationworld/toyota-launches-grip-toyota-movie-anime-campaign-short Thu, 06 Nov 2025 14:59:42 PST Previs/Postvis/Visualization 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 Previs/Postvis/Visualization 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 Previs/Postvis/Visualization https://www.awn.com/event/world-vfx-day-2025 Framestore’s free livestream event December 8 showcases the art, craft, and innovation of visual effects in filmmaking. AWN Staff Editor https://www.awn.com/event/world-vfx-day-2025 Tue, 28 Oct 2025 9:50:50 PDT Previs/Postvis/Visualization https://www.awn.com/vfxworld/how-vertical-content-and-vfx-are-transforming-way-audiences-engage Producers for mobile-native, vertical formats are including VFX as a core creative tool, not just a post-production step, as they build cross-platform entertainment that surprises and captivates viewers. Ruijia Wang https://www.awn.com/vfxworld/how-vertical-content-and-vfx-are-transforming-way-audiences-engage Mon, 27 Oct 2025 13:57:23 PDT Previs/Postvis/Visualization https://www.awn.com/blog/studio-one How artist-driven AI is rewriting the economics of animation. Kevin Geiger https://www.awn.com/blog/studio-one Mon, 27 Oct 2025 10:47:05 PDT Previs/Postvis/Visualization 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 Previs/Postvis/Visualization 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 Previs/Postvis/Visualization 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 Previs/Postvis/Visualization 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 Previs/Postvis/Visualization 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 Previs/Postvis/Visualization 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 Previs/Postvis/Visualization 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 Previs/Postvis/Visualization https://www.awn.com/event/fredrikstad-animation-festival-2025 FAF 2025 returns to Fredrikstad, Norway with a full program celebrating the dynamic storytelling of global animation October 23-26. AWN Staff Editor https://www.awn.com/event/fredrikstad-animation-festival-2025 Mon, 29 Sep 2025 9:21:22 PDT Previs/Postvis/Visualization https://www.awn.com/news/infinity-festival-announces-2025-speaker-line Event to showcase the intersection of technology and entertainment with speakers from HP, NVIDIA, AMD, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Dolby, and The Belgium Economic Mission; event runs October 9–10. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/infinity-festival-announces-2025-speaker-line Wed, 24 Sep 2025 13:40:42 PDT Previs/Postvis/Visualization https://www.awn.com/news/previs-pro-gets-major-update-free-access-tier Previs Pro 3 adds new Animatics feature that incorporates motion, timing, and pacing directly into the visual planning process; Light Grade exits beta; new free pricing level allows users to generate unlimited watermarked storyboards, use up to three AI-generated props, and create one animatic sequence. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/previs-pro-gets-major-update-free-access-tier Wed, 17 Sep 2025 10:06:26 PDT Previs/Postvis/Visualization https://www.awn.com/news/maxon-releases-maxon-one-design-update Company unifies Cinema 4D, ZBrush, Redshift, and Red Giant in an ecosystem redesign, with new feature capabilities across VFX, 3D modeling, and motion graphics solutions. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/maxon-releases-maxon-one-design-update Tue, 16 Sep 2025 11:28:10 PDT Previs/Postvis/Visualization https://www.awn.com/news/submissions-24th-annual-ves-awards-now-open Entries will be accepted through October 31, 2025 for projects released between January 1 and December 31, 2025; the awards gala is set for February 26, 2026. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/submissions-24th-annual-ves-awards-now-open Mon, 15 Sep 2025 16:30:25 PDT Previs/Postvis/Visualization https://www.awn.com/news/ingenuity-studios-delivers-300-eye-bulging-shots-weapons The VFX team crafted CG peepers for actors Benny Wong, Austin Abrams, and Alden Ehrenreich, and created previs that allowed safe ways for kids to perform stunts instead of using digital doubles. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/ingenuity-studios-delivers-300-eye-bulging-shots-weapons Fri, 05 Sep 2025 16:19:42 PDT Previs/Postvis/Visualization https://www.awn.com/news/proof-shares-heads-state-visualization-reel The studio delivered both previs and techvis for the action-packed, 12-minute Air Force One action sequence on the Prime Video comedy starring John Cena and Idris Elba. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/proof-shares-heads-state-visualization-reel Thu, 04 Sep 2025 12:25:31 PDT Previs/Postvis/Visualization https://www.awn.com/news/wicked-good-vfx-presentation-set-view-2025 ILM’s 4-time Oscar-nominated production VFX supervisor Pablo Helman and VES Award-winning Framestore animation supervisor Dale Newton will dive deep into the visual effects of Jon M. Chu’s 2-part musical blockbuster that concludes this November; conference runs October 12-17 in Turin, Italy. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/wicked-good-vfx-presentation-set-view-2025 Thu, 04 Sep 2025 10:12:20 PDT Previs/Postvis/Visualization https://www.awn.com/news/talks-kpop-demon-hunters-f1-and-fantastic-four-set-view-2025 Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, directors of the biggest Netflix film ever, plus VFX supervisors Ryan Tudhope and Daniele Bigi, will present their films in-person at the upcoming conference that runs October 12-17 in Turin, Italy. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/talks-kpop-demon-hunters-f1-and-fantastic-four-set-view-2025 Thu, 28 Aug 2025 14:45:21 PDT Previs/Postvis/Visualization https://www.awn.com/animationworld/six-game-changing-new-features-animators-latest-version-unreal-engine From faster keyframe editing to in-editor sculpting and dynamic rig physics, the latest UE 5.6 update brings a robust set of features that streamline animation workflows.  Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/animationworld/six-game-changing-new-features-animators-latest-version-unreal-engine Wed, 27 Aug 2025 13:28:17 PDT Previs/Postvis/Visualization https://www.awn.com/news/unreal-engine-56-brings-exciting-new-features-animators Epic Games’ UE 5.6 update delivers major animation upgrades, including a cleaner Curve Editor, improved Sequencer navigation, experimental morph sculpting, and dynamic rig physics that empower artists at studios of all sizes to animate faster with fewer roundtrips to DCC tools. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/unreal-engine-56-brings-exciting-new-features-animators Mon, 25 Aug 2025 15:17:16 PDT Previs/Postvis/Visualization https://www.awn.com/news/lightcraft-unveils-spark-ai-powered-production-platform-filmmakers The system augments traditional filmmaking with AI-assisted collaboration tools to create virtual shots and organize teams from pre-to-post. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/lightcraft-unveils-spark-ai-powered-production-platform-filmmakers Mon, 18 Aug 2025 9:33:25 PDT Previs/Postvis/Visualization https://www.awn.com/news/ian-hunter-talk-fantastic-four-first-steps-practical-fx-view-2025 The Oscar-winning VFX supervisor and a team from Pro Machina will discuss their miniature work on the Excelsior retro rocketship; Emmy winner Alex Woo will present his upcoming 3DCG feature, ‘In Your Dreams,’ that hits Netflix November 14; conference runs October 12-17 in Turin, Italy. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/ian-hunter-talk-fantastic-four-first-steps-practical-fx-view-2025 Thu, 14 Aug 2025 10:02:43 PDT Previs/Postvis/Visualization