The latest news from Animation World Network. 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 AWN Headline News 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 AWN Headline News 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 AWN Headline News 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 AWN Headline News 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 AWN Headline News https://www.awn.com/news/jon-m-chu-receive-inaugural-judy-garland-award-2026-lumiere-awards The Advanced Imaging Society has partnered with the famed performer’s daughter, Lorna Luft, to establish the new award that honors individuals whose ‘artistry, imagination, and cultural influence embody the highest ideals in entertainment.’ Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/jon-m-chu-receive-inaugural-judy-garland-award-2026-lumiere-awards Wed, 17 Dec 2025 18:05:54 PST AWN Headline News 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 AWN Headline News 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 AWN Headline News https://www.awn.com/news/xilam-ugc-team-empire-ants-series-adaptation The project, based on the popular Bernard Werber novel, will be produced using live-action for the human narrative and VFX for the ant world. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/xilam-ugc-team-empire-ants-series-adaptation Wed, 17 Dec 2025 15:55:42 PST AWN Headline News https://www.awn.com/news/one-us-brings-swamp-witcher-season-4 Watch the VFX breakdown reel featuring the studio’s work crafting 210 visual effects shots across 4 episodes; highlights include the parasite-ridden Greylock, reimagined Roach Hounds, and the unsettling Mother and Little Rusalka swamp duo. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/one-us-brings-swamp-witcher-season-4 Wed, 17 Dec 2025 10:36:56 PST AWN Headline News https://www.awn.com/news/netflix-drops-stranger-things-5-volume-2-trailer Head back to the Upside Down; the next episode set of the fight to find and kill Vecna premieres December 25, followed by The Finale on December 31; Volume 1 is now streaming. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/netflix-drops-stranger-things-5-volume-2-trailer Wed, 17 Dec 2025 9:13:52 PST AWN Headline News https://www.awn.com/news/livingston-taylor-joins-hundred-acre-woods-winnie-and-friends-winnie-pooh The celebrated folk singer will perform a live song from the upcoming Kartoon Studios animated series at a table read following sneak peek showing on December 16 at the Chinese Theatre. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/livingston-taylor-joins-hundred-acre-woods-winnie-and-friends-winnie-pooh Tue, 16 Dec 2025 13:12:15 PST AWN Headline News 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 AWN Headline News 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 AWN Headline News https://www.awn.com/news/exclusive-clip-angels-david-animated-musical The upcoming 3DCG film, which charts the eponymous boy’s rise from shepherd to king as he challenges a giant and defends his kingdom, hits theaters December 19. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/exclusive-clip-angels-david-animated-musical Tue, 16 Dec 2025 7:02:26 PST AWN Headline News https://www.awn.com/news/prime-video-moves-fallout-season-2-release The announcement was made with a Wasteland transformation on the Exosphere of Sphere in Las Vegas; premiere set for today, December 16. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/prime-video-moves-fallout-season-2-release Tue, 16 Dec 2025 2:33:47 PST AWN Headline News 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 AWN Headline News https://www.awn.com/news/milk-shares-witcher-season-4-vfx-breakdown-reel The studio contributed visual effects across multiple episodes of the Netflix fantasy series, including two technically complex fight sequences in Episode 6; work includes choreographed battles, magic, blood, and CG swords. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/milk-shares-witcher-season-4-vfx-breakdown-reel Mon, 15 Dec 2025 11:39:45 PST AWN Headline News 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 AWN Headline News 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 AWN Headline News https://www.awn.com/news/netflix-sets-devil-may-cry-season-2-release In the upcoming season, a war between worlds ignites as Dante must battle the only force that mirrors his own: his estranged twin brother Vergil; premieres May 12, 2026. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/netflix-sets-devil-may-cry-season-2-release Mon, 15 Dec 2025 9:27:11 PST AWN Headline News 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 AWN Headline News 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 AWN Headline News 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 AWN Headline News 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 AWN Headline News 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 AWN Headline News 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 AWN Headline News https://www.awn.com/news/tinybuild-releases-hello-neighbor-welcome-raven-brooks-animated-series In addition to YouTube, Seasons 1 and 2 of the horror survival video game adaptation are available on Prime Video in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia; other IP ventures include the upcoming ‘Hello Neighbor’ feature film and ‘Hello Neighbor 3’ video game. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/tinybuild-releases-hello-neighbor-welcome-raven-brooks-animated-series Tue, 09 Dec 2025 10:42:59 PST AWN Headline News 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 AWN Headline News https://www.awn.com/news/disney-announces-hey-aj-animated-family-comedy The whimsical and music filled series about an imaginative young girl and her stuffed bunny sidekick is inspired by author and Super Bowl champion Martellus Bennett, who stars and serves as EP; kicks off January 13 on Disney Jr., next day on Disney+. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/disney-announces-hey-aj-animated-family-comedy Mon, 08 Dec 2025 20:13:41 PST AWN Headline News