Celebrating the Art, Craft and Business of Animation https://www.awn.com/ en-US 15 Mon, 15 Dec 2025 10:59:32 -0800 Mon, 15 Dec 2025 11:00:11 -0800 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 North America 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 North America 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 North America https://www.awn.com/news/maison-43-10th-ave-productions-unveil-lydia-and-mist-rider-trailer-official-poster The 3DCG adventure about a young girl trying to find her kidnapped brother stars Sophie Nélisse Mizinga Mwinga, Hasani Freeman and Sarah Booth; hits Canadian screens February 20, 2026. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/maison-43-10th-ave-productions-unveil-lydia-and-mist-rider-trailer-official-poster Wed, 03 Dec 2025 10:30:39 PST North America https://www.awn.com/news/join-awn-and-alex-woo-your-dreams-screening-netflix-animation-studios You’re invited to come watch and enjoy the all-new animated comedy, followed by a Q&A with the director/writer and reception, on Wednesday, December 3 at 7:00 pm in Burbank! Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/join-awn-and-alex-woo-your-dreams-screening-netflix-animation-studios Fri, 28 Nov 2025 8:45:54 PST North America https://www.awn.com/news/kodansha-usa-releases-totto-chan-little-girl-window-sequel English translation of the long-awaited follow-up of Tetsuko Kuroyanagi’s 1981 bestselling memoir that sold over 26 million copies is now available; book signings in New York begin November 22. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/kodansha-usa-releases-totto-chan-little-girl-window-sequel Tue, 18 Nov 2025 9:42:41 PST North America 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 North America https://www.awn.com/news/simpsons-writer-dan-mcgrath-passes-61 The award-winning creative, also known for his work on ‘Saturday Night Live’ and ‘King of the Hill,’ passed away Friday in Brooklyn after suffering a stroke. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/simpsons-writer-dan-mcgrath-passes-61 Mon, 17 Nov 2025 8:17:43 PST North America https://www.awn.com/news/glas-animation-festival-2025-announces-official-selections Taking place in person in Los Angeles from December 6-7, the event will feature competition screenings, panels, Q&As, parties, and other offerings; trailer and poster also shared. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/glas-animation-festival-2025-announces-official-selections Thu, 13 Nov 2025 10:52:35 PST North America https://www.awn.com/news/world-animation-and-vfx-summit-announces-2025-hall-fame-honorees Panelist lineup also released for upcoming event that runs November 17-19 at the Garland Hotel in North Hollywood, California. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/world-animation-and-vfx-summit-announces-2025-hall-fame-honorees Tue, 11 Nov 2025 11:20:34 PST North America https://www.awn.com/news/disney-and-snap-launch-zootopia-2-activations-and-snapchat-ar-lenses New campaign includes in-person immersive experiences at Los Angeles locations like The Grove and The Americana as well as 7 new lenses based on characters from the film. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/disney-and-snap-launch-zootopia-2-activations-and-snapchat-ar-lenses Mon, 10 Nov 2025 13:18:32 PST North America https://www.awn.com/animationworld/7-pixels-pencils-panel-directors-talk-big-swings-and-big-dreams Alex Woo, Domee Shi, Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, Ugo Bienvenu, Kent Seki and Maïlys Vallade took to the SCAD Savannah Film Festival stage to share their anxiety over standing firm on big creative risks when others voiced considerable doubt, in what was only half-jokingly called a ‘directors therapy session.’ Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/animationworld/7-pixels-pencils-panel-directors-talk-big-swings-and-big-dreams Fri, 07 Nov 2025 15:39:06 PST North America https://www.awn.com/news/murmuration-takes-best-animation-award-2025-scad-savannah-film-festival ‘Snow Bear,’ ‘Dragfox,’ ‘Playing God,’ and ‘Inside, The Valley Sings’ also take home wins; Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Frankenstein’ named the Audience Award Winner at event, which ran October 24-31. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/murmuration-takes-best-animation-award-2025-scad-savannah-film-festival Mon, 03 Nov 2025 16:25:32 PST North America https://www.awn.com/animationworld/stitch-head-animated-horror-comedy-offers-kids-love-and-hope It’s ‘Frankenstein’ meets ‘Wallace & Gromit’ in the adaptation of Guy Bass’ children’s book about a small, forgotten creature living in a long-abandoned castle tasked with protecting a mad professor’s wildly inventive creations from the suspicious townspeople; in theaters October 29. Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/animationworld/stitch-head-animated-horror-comedy-offers-kids-love-and-hope Wed, 29 Oct 2025 15:12:34 PDT North America https://www.awn.com/news/little-am-lie-or-character-rain-takes-animation-film-grand-prize Running October 17-19 at the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres in Hollywood, the festival’s 8th annual edition continued its mission to champion animation as a cinematic art form, curating critically acclaimed international features and shorts that carry both recognition and impact. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/little-am-lie-or-character-rain-takes-animation-film-grand-prize Tue, 21 Oct 2025 14:09:20 PDT North America https://www.awn.com/animationworld/chris-appelhans-reflects-kpop-demon-hunters-and-scad-impact-award The writer/director of the smash Netflix animated musical, honored at last month’s SCAD AnimationFest, talks about the film’s exploration of identity, acceptance and found family and how that resonated with him as one of the film’s creators. Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/animationworld/chris-appelhans-reflects-kpop-demon-hunters-and-scad-impact-award Thu, 09 Oct 2025 15:11:38 PDT North America https://www.awn.com/news/gazelle-automations-sets-go-togo-season-2-launch Meta Media Entertainment appointed as global distributor of the preschool series that uniquely blends animatronics with 2D and 3D; new season premieres December 1 on CBC Kids and CBC Gem in Canada. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/gazelle-automations-sets-go-togo-season-2-launch Thu, 09 Oct 2025 8:44:03 PDT North America 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 North America https://www.awn.com/news/prime-video-announces-hazbin-hotel-live-broadway-musical-event Fans can request tickets for a chance to attend the show on October 20 at The Majestic Theater in New York; will stream at a later date. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/prime-video-announces-hazbin-hotel-live-broadway-musical-event Tue, 07 Oct 2025 10:56:00 PDT North America https://www.awn.com/news/prime-video-announces-new-york-comic-con-2025-programming The streamer hits NYC with panels for key titles including ‘Cross,’ ‘Invincible,’ ‘Hazbin Hotel,’ Critical Role’s ‘The Legend of Vox Machina,’ their new series ‘The Mighty Nein,’ and the upcoming animated series ‘BAT-FAM.’ L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/prime-video-announces-new-york-comic-con-2025-programming Mon, 06 Oct 2025 8:47:01 PDT North America https://www.awn.com/news/toei-animation-showcase-one-piece-digimon-beatbreak-nycc-2025 The studio’s programming celebrates both series with special guest panels, booth pop-ups, card giveaways, an autograph raffle, and others. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/toei-animation-showcase-one-piece-digimon-beatbreak-nycc-2025 Fri, 03 Oct 2025 13:14:55 PDT North America https://www.awn.com/news/manchester-animation-festival-unveils-2025-program This year’s event promises exclusive previews, behind-the-scenes insights, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion; runs November 9-13 at HOME and other venues across the city. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/manchester-animation-festival-unveils-2025-program Tue, 30 Sep 2025 9:42:40 PDT North America https://www.awn.com/news/animation-guild-announces-2-dreamworks-animation-worker-union-milestones TAG 839 shares the ratification of a first-ever union contract for the studio’s production workers and the unionization of remote workers across the U.S. who contribute to LA-based projects. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/animation-guild-announces-2-dreamworks-animation-worker-union-milestones Fri, 26 Sep 2025 14:04:43 PDT North America https://www.awn.com/news/spike-mike-returns-theaters-after-nearly-2-decades 24 ‘Sick & Twisted’ films make up the inaugural 3-day ‘Animation Extravaganza 2025’ comeback festival that’s releasing in the U.S. on October 31. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/spike-mike-returns-theaters-after-nearly-2-decades Thu, 25 Sep 2025 11:18:26 PDT North America 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 North America https://www.awn.com/news/nickelodeon-celebrate-avatar-last-airbender-new-york-comic-con The ‘Avatar’ booth will bring the 4 elements to life through immersive experiences and special photo opportunities in tribute to 20 years of the franchise; NYCC 2025 runs October 9-12. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/nickelodeon-celebrate-avatar-last-airbender-new-york-comic-con Fri, 19 Sep 2025 13:36:10 PDT North America https://www.awn.com/news/crunchyroll-heads-new-york-comic-con-2025 Highlights include ‘Dan Da Dan’ and ‘Trigun Stargaze’ panels; ‘You Can't Be In a Rom-Com with Your Childhood Friends!’ set to premiere. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/crunchyroll-heads-new-york-comic-con-2025 Thu, 18 Sep 2025 16:26:38 PDT North America 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 North America https://www.awn.com/news/animation-film-festival-announces-2025-lineup Event to open with ‘Scarlet’ by Mamoru Hosoda, close with ‘Little Amélie Or The Character Of Rain’ By Maïlys Vallade and Liane-Cho Han; runs October 17-19 at TCL Chinese 6 Theatres in Hollywood. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/animation-film-festival-announces-2025-lineup Wed, 17 Sep 2025 9:28:25 PDT North America https://www.awn.com/news/filante-takes-best-show-spark-animation-2025 ‘We’re Kinda Different,’ ‘What We Leave Behind,’ ‘Gauze,’ and ’18 Months’ also notch wins; Willie Ito receives the Lifetime Achievement Award; awards ceremony set for September 21 - screenings begin September 18, while conference runs September 20-21. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/filante-takes-best-show-spark-animation-2025 Tue, 16 Sep 2025 16:51:14 PDT North America