ANIMATIONWorld Magazine

Director Jason Hand discusses his path from CalArts to helming Disney’s latest hit animated musical comedy - fast approaching $1 billion at the global box office – that took advantage of the studio’s history of teamwork, mentorship, and artistic...

Director Peter Browngardt looked to the films of Ed Wood as he put Daffy Duck and Porky Pig right in the middle of a secret extraterrestrial mind control plot in the all-new...

Japan catches up with the Middle-Earth anime that most of the world has already written off as a flop – AWN’s anime columnist Andrew Osmond was there to see it.

animated shorts ANIMATIONWorld

Torill Kove Tells the Story Behind the Imagery in ‘Maybe Elephants’

Oscar-winning animator Torill Kove, known for her unique style of personal storytelling, now dives into the inspiration for the images in her award-winning short ‘Maybe Elephants’ and how they were crafted.

In 2D, Art, Awards, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld | Special Events: Academy Awards | Geographic Region: All

Osmond on Anime ANIMATIONWorld

Taking a Look at ‘Look Back’

Journalist and animation expert Andrew Osmond returns to AWN’s pages after almost 20 years, explaining his reshaped attitude - from skeptic to convert – towards anime while sharing his review of Kiyotaka Oshiyama’s newest film.

In 2D, Anime, Comics, Films, People | ANIMATIONWorld | Geographic Region: All

Ho Ho Ho! ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘That Christmas’ – A Seasonal Film for Life

Set in a charming coastal town during Christmas, Simon Otto and Locksmith Animation’s new film explores themes of empathy, compassion, and human connection, weaving stories of love, resilience, and community through the perspectives of children and adults; now streaming on Netflix.

In 3D, Digital Media, Films, People | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Special Events: VIEW Conference | Geographic Region: All

It’s Anime-zing! ANIMATIONWorld

Sae Okamoto Talks Mechanical Arms and Animating Mechas

8 years after a successful Kickstarter, the first-time anime series director’s show, ‘Mecha-Ude: Mechanical Arms’ is now streaming on Crunchyroll; it blends traditional 2D with hand-retouched 3DCG to deliver fluid, lifelike human-machine characters.

In 2D, 3D, Anime, CG, Digital Media, People, Television | ANIMATIONWorld | Geographic Region: All

adaptation Blogs

Progress and the Cycle of Creativity

A gentle reminder to my animation colleagues.

In AI, Business, Jobs & Recruiting, Technology | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: Reality Bites | Geographic Region: All

On the Road to the Oscars Headline News

Academy Announces Shortlists in 10 Categories for 97th Oscars

VFX category narrowed down to 10 films, animated shorts to 15; voting for nominations runs next month, January 8-12, with nomination announcements set for January 17, 2025.

In 2D, 3D, Awards, CG, Digital Media, Event, Films, Guilds/Unions/Organizations, Motion Graphics, Short Films, Visual Effects | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, VFXWorld | Special Events: Academy Awards | Geographic Region: All

Wallace & Gromit Return ANIMATIONWorld

‘Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl:’ The Power of Stillness in Stop-Motion

Directors Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham bring back the enigmatic villain Feathers McGraw in Aardman and Netflix’s new comedy, combining animation mastery with nuanced, non-speaking characters that never work as hard as when they’re not moving.

In CG, Digital Media, Films, People, Stop-Motion, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld | Geographic Region: All

Ultraman Returns ANIMATIONWorld

‘Ultraman: Rising’: Achieving the Perfect Lens Flare and Ken Sato Hairdo

ILM VFX supervisor Hayden Jones reveals how his team merged anime styling with cutting-edge visuals including hand-drawn transitions and ‘Akira’-inspired lens flares to create a love letter to classic manga.

In 2D, 3D, Anime, CG, Digital Media, Films, People, Visual Effects | ANIMATIONWorld, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All

preschool animation ANIMATIONWorld

‘Wonder Pets: In the City’: A Classic Revived with Photo Puppetry and Hypnosis

The classic charm of ‘Wonder Pets’ is back with creator Jennifer Oxley’s new series, a fresh take that introduces a new team of animal heroes, navigating global adventures, who showcase the power of empathy and collaboration while teaching life lessons through mini-opera-inspired tales.

In 2D, 3D, CG, Digital Media, Music and Sound, People, Television | ANIMATIONWorld | Geographic Region: All

The Increasing Need for Entertainment Content ANIMATIONWorld

Helping Artists and Studios Deliver in an Increasingly Competitive M&E Landscape

For Rob Hoffman, Lenovo’s Senior Worldwide Manager for Media & Entertainment Vertical, insatiable consumer appetite for new experiences across film, TV, games and interactive experiences, in greater quantity with increasing fidelity, means, the future of entertainment content development continues to look strong.

In Business, CG, Films, Games, People, Post-production, Previs/Postvis/Visualization, Technology, Television, Virtual Production, Visual Effects | ANIMATIONWorld, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All

Yes My Precious! ANIMATIONWorld

‘The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim’: Middle Earth Meets Modern Anime

Kenji Kamiyama’s prequel to J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic saga travels 183 years before the original trilogy to bring Héra, a forgotten, unsung character, into the spotlight with a tale of courage and resilience; in theaters December 13.

In 2D, Anime, Books, CG, Films, People, Voice Acting, Writing | ANIMATIONWorld | Geographic Region: All

Encourage Empathy and Celebrate Our Differences ANIMATIONWorld

‘Carl the Collector’: A Lovely Walk Inside the Mind of Autism

Zachariah OHora discusses the unique challenges, and constant joy, of creating his PBS KIDS’ series about the everyday adventures of Carl, a warm-hearted autistic racoon who enjoys collecting things and loves his friends and family in Fuzzytown.

In 2D, Books, CG, Digital Media, Diversity and Inclusion, People, Television | ANIMATIONWorld | Geographic Region: All

Never Lose Your Imagination ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘The Imaginary’ - A Story to Believe

With breathtaking animation and a heartfelt narrative, Studio Ponoc’s hand-drawn animated film celebrates the unrestrained magic of childhood imagination while addressing universal themes of loss, memory, and the enduring power of stories.

In 2D, Anime, Books, CG, Films, People, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Special Events: VIEW Conference | Geographic Region: All

We Return to Piltover and Zaun ANIMATIONWorld

Christian Linke Talks Animation Secrets, Silent Characters and Last Lines of 'Arcane' Season 2

From watercolors and charcoal to hand-drawn 2D and highly stylized 3D, the award-winning series’ second and final season pushed visual and storytelling boundaries while delivering a gripping and emotionally stunning finale.

In 3D, CG, Digital Media, Games, People, Television, Visual Effects | ANIMATIONWorld | Geographic Region: All

It’s Anime-zing! Headline News

‘Attack on Titan: The Last Attack’ Coming to North American Theaters

Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment have combined into one film the final two episodes of the critically acclaimed anime series for a supersized cinematic experience on one day: February 10.

In 2D, Anime, Films, People, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: North America

Awards Headline News

‘Flow,’ ‘Wicked,’ and ‘Shōgun’ Notch Golden Globe Wins

The awards season kicked off last night with films by Latvian director Gints Zilbalodis and Jon M. Chu taking home awards for Best Motion Picture – Animated and Cinematic and Box Office Achievement, respectively, along with Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo’s historical drama set in 1600s Japan winning for Best Television Series - Drama, at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s 82nd Annual awards.

In 3D, Acting, Awards, CG, Digital Media, Event, Films, People, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, VFXWorld | Special Events: Golden Globe Awards | Geographic Region: All

Awards Headline News

2025 BAFTA Longlists Revealed

‘Despicable Me 4,’ ‘Flow,’ ‘Inside Out 2,’ ‘Memoir of a Snail,’ ‘Moana 2,’ ‘That Christmas,’ ‘Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl,’ and ‘The Wild Robot’ advance in the Best Animated Film category as voting begins for the coveted British film awards; nominations announced January 15, with awards revealed at February 16 ceremony.

In 2D, 3D, Awards, CG, Digital Media, Event, Films, Guilds/Unions/Organizations, Short Films, Visual Effects | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, VFXWorld | Special Events: BAFTAs | Geographic Region: All

Regular Show Headline News

‘Regular Show: The Complete Series’ Coming to DVD February 4

All 245 episodes of JG Quintel and Cartoon Network’s Emmy Award-winning animated comedy starring Mordecai, Rigby, and their collection of pals will be released for the very first time, along with special features and a movie… 50 hours of animated joy in all.

In 2D, Business, CG, Digital Media, Home Entertainment, People, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All

animated shorts Headline News

Joseph Game (Chogrin) and Ichi Aguilar’s ‘Lucky Brave’s Sunshine’ Now on YouTube

The 3DCG short, a coming-of-age space Western based on an original story and characters by Chogrin, was animated in Quito, Ecuador by Matte CG & Inti Fx, and produced by Jorge R. Gutierrez.

In 3D, CG, Digital Media, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Smile and Say Cheeeese! Headline News

‘Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl’ Debuts on Netflix

Aardman’s all-new stop-motion comedy adventure, nominated for a Golden Globe and Critics Choice Award for best animated feature, follows Wallace’s new invention - Norbot, a ‘smart’ gnome that seems to develop a mind of its own; film hits the streamer today, January 3.

In 3D, CG, Digital Media, Films, People, Stop-Motion, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All

The Power Lords Return! Headline News

Exclusive: First ‘Power Lords #1’ Preview Pages Revealed

From acclaimed writers Dennis Culver (‘Unstoppable Doom Patrol’) and Matt Hotson and blockbuster artist V Ken Marion (‘Green Lantern’) comes the return of one of the 1980s toy icons in a galaxy-spanning adventure comic series.

In 2D, Art, Comics, People, Writing | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Business Headline News

Peacock Cancels ‘In the Know’ Stop-Motion Series

The adult animated parody, co-created by Zach Woods with Mike Judge and Brandon Gardner, follows NPR’s third most popular host, a well-meaning puppet - and nimrod - interviewing real celebrity guests with no knowledge of what they’ll be asked.

In Business, Digital Media, People, Stop-Motion, Television, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Honoring Visionary Filmmakers Headline News

Douglas Wick, Lucy Fisher To Receive 2025 Harold Lloyd Award

The producers will be honored by The Advanced Imaging Society in recognition of their work on ‘Gladiator II’ at the 15^thannual Lumiere Awards luncheon on February 7 at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

In Awards, Event, Films, People | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, VFXWorld | Special Events: Lumiere Awards | Geographic Region: All

Animated Holiday Cheer Headline News

Studio AKA Reveals ‘Bad Tidings’ Title Sequence

The BAFTA and Emmy award-winning animation studio crafted the main titles for the Sky Studios Christmas feature, utilizing retro typography and visuals inspired by ‘The Pink Panther’ and ‘Home Alone.’

In 2D, CG, Digital Media, Films, People | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: Europe

Wallace & Gromit Return Headline News

Netflix Drops ‘Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl’ Featurette

Go behind-the-scenes with Ben Whitehead, the voice of Wallace, as he talks elongated vowels, phonetic sounds, and how ‘necessity is the mother-in-law of invention’ in this new video that also features some nifty time-lapse stop-motion production and new character PC Mukhergee, voiced by Lauren Patel; film hits the streamer January 3.