indie films

Talking Bakshi and Heavy Metal Headline News

Join AWN and ‘The Spine of Night’ Creators Live Q&A January 19

Morgan Galen King, Philip Gelatt and Will Battersby, along with Dan Sarto, will discuss the influence of Ralph Bakshi and ‘Heavy Metal’ on the making of their epic 2D animated fantasy; also, a look at rotoscoping’s history, why it was used for this project and challenges the creators faced in producing an indie film.

In 2D, CG, Digital Media, Films, People, Technology, AR/VR/XR | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All

animated shorts Headline News

Watch Mary Apick’s Powerful ‘The Cat’ Short

The award-winning filmmaker and activist’s hand-drawn, black and white animated film tells the story of a happy little girl determined to overcome the darkness and oppression consuming her.

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

animated documentaries ANIMATIONWorld

Jonas Poher Rasmussen Talks ‘Flee’

The director discusses his intimate, award-winning animated documentary about the boyhood experiences of his long-time friend, an Afghan academic who lived as a gay Muslim in Afghanistan before escaping to Denmark through Russia.

In 2D, CG, Films, People | ANIMATIONWorld | Geographic Region: Europe

Hand-Crafted Animation ANIMATIONWorld

‘Namoo’: An Artist Reflects on Life, Death, and Everything In-between

Using frames hand-painted with Quill and VR headsets, Oscar-nominated director Erick Oh and his production team at Emmy Award-winning Baobab Studios expertly crafted a thought-provoking and emotional 3D animated short that follows the beautiful and heartbreaking moments of a man’s life.

In 3D, Art, CG, Digital Media, People, Short Films, Technology, AR/VR/XR | ANIMATIONWorld | Geographic Region: All

Can You Remember the 60s? Headline News

‘Cryptozoo’s Legendary Cryptids Now Available on Blu-Ray and VOD

Dash Shaw’s visually stunning Sundance award-winning animated film follows the hallucinatory world of cryptozookeepers as they struggle to capture a legendary dream-eating baku.

In 2D, CG, Digital Media, Films, Home Entertainment, People, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Hand-Crafted Animation Headline News

Baobab Studios Releases Trailer and Images for Erick Oh’s ‘NAMOO’

The Oscar-nominated director’s new animated short, a narrative poem inspired by the passing of his grandfather, follows the beautiful and heartbreaking moments of a man’s life; special presentations and screenings, with Baobab founders and Oh, are set for November 18-20 at the CTN Animation eXpo, in-person and online.

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

Books Headline News

Michael Cawood’s ‘Animated Filmmakers’ Now Available

Director’s new book takes a deep dive into the making of his animated shorts including the Oscar-qualified ‘The Wrong Rock;’ the animation veteran shares tips for filmmakers to ‘…reduce pain, cost and stress’ in the production process.

In ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News

Can You Remember the 60s? Headline News

‘Cryptozoo’ and its Legendary Cryptids Coming to Blu-Ray and VOD

Magnolia Home Entertainment’s hypnotic Sundance award-winning animated film gets its home entertainment release November 16, 2021.

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

animated shorts Headline News

Actor John Cho Joins Baobab’s ‘NAMOO’ as Executive Producer

Baobab Studios’ latest animated short, a narrative poem inspired by the passing of Oscar-nominated director Erick Oh’s grandfather, will have its LA Premiere as part of the official selection for the 2021 Hollyshorts Film Festival on Friday, September 24.

In 2D, 3D, CG, Digital Media, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Can You Remember the 60s? Blogs

‘Cryptozoo’ Review: Bakus & Gorgons & Satyrs – Oh My!

AWN’s Miscweant examines Dash Shaw’s new animated feature film, set in ‘surreal’ 1967, about an activist group trying to protect supernatural cryptids from amoral government agents.

In 2D, Films, People, Reviews | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: The Miscweant | Geographic Region: All

voice casting Headline News

Cast Announced for Netflix’s ‘The House’ Stop-Motion Dark Comedy

Helena Bonham-Carter and Miranda Richardson among the stars boarding Nexus Studios’ anthology series about a house and the surreal tales surrounding three generations of families who lived there.

In 2D, Business, CG, Digital Media, People, Stop-Motion, Television, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Taking out Tyranny Headline News

Lebanese Animated Thriller ‘Alephia 2053’ Imagines A World Without Tyranny

Pulling from events surrounding the Arab Spring uprisings, powerful new 60-minute film envisions what the Middle East could look like in 30 years.

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

The Future is Real-Time Headline News

Spire Animation Receives ‘Unreal Shorts’ Program Grant

Epic Games’ new grant and fellowship program aims to fund filmmakers who utilize Unreal Engine for real-time projects.

In 3D, Business, CG, Digital Media, Films, Games, People, Short Films, Technology, Virtual Production, Visual Effects | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All

The Annies are Coming! ANIMATIONWorld

Five Compelling Shorts Vie for the Annie

This year’s batch of Annie Award-nominated animated short films once again demonstrates that you’ll often find the most powerful storytelling in the smallest of packages.

In 2D, Awards, CG, Digital Media, Event, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld | Special Events: Annecy | Geographic Region: All

Clown Princess of Crime Headline News

Watch: Live-Action Harley Quinn Fan Fiction Film

The 35-minute YouTube short titled ‘Harley Quinn - Blazing Shadows’ tells the story of the famous villainess’ redemption from The Joker.

In Digital Media, People, Short Films | Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All

Vulva la Pussy Revolución ANIMATIONWorld

Leah Shore Masks Up with Peaches for a Pussy Revolution

Watch and learn as an anthropomorphic ‘Furby Pussy’ bounces to a melodic beat while praising the work of Dr. Fauci, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

In 2D, CG, Digital Media, Music Videos, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld | Geographic Region: All

Bakshi Would be Proud! ANIMATIONWorld

The Spirit of Bakshi Returns in ‘The Spine of Night’

Directors Philip Gelatt and Morgan Galen King’s raucous new rotoscoped fantasy epic takes us back to the days when animated tales of swords and sorcerers didn’t always have fairy tale endings.

In 2D, Business, CG, Digital Media, Event, Festival, Films, People, Technology, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld | Geographic Region: All

animated documentaries ANIMATIONWorld

‘Flee’: An Animated Documentary Recounts a Harrowing Personal Trauma

Jonas Rasmussen’s intimate and powerful 2D film tells the untold story of his long-time friend Amin’s life as a gay child growing up in Kabul before his escape via Russia to Denmark.

In 2D, CG, Digital Media, Festival, Films, People | ANIMATIONWorld | Geographic Region: All, Europe

Festival Within A Game? Headline News

‘Short Nite’ Animated Film Festival Coming to ‘Fortnite’

Check out 12 animated short films though the video game’s Party Royale mode starting February 20^th, 2 PM EST.

In 2D, 3D, CG, Digital Media, Festival, Games, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Wendigo Terror! ANIMATIONWorld

‘Little Wolf: The Night Trail’: A Coming-of-Age Battle Against the Undead

Director Jesse Cowan takes a dark journey into Native American mythology with his tale of a young boy, his wolf totem, and their fight with monsters of the forest.

In 2D, CG, Digital Media, Festival, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld | Geographic Region: All

Animated Feature Films Headline News

Ishan Shukla’s ‘Schirkoa’ Set to Begin Production

Animated feature, based on the director’s award-winning short, will blend 2D and 3D cinema, animation, and video game development techniques; production begins Spring 2021 with the premiere planned for 2023.

In 2D, 3D, Business, CG, Digital Media, Films, Music and Sound, People, Short Films, Technology, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Business Headline News

Animated Documentary ‘Flee’ Sells for $1 Million at Sundance

The moving film, revealing a painful 20-year-old secret from a gay academic’s journey to Denmark as an Afghan child refugee, sold to Oscar award-winning studio Neon for seven figures as the film festival got underway.

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

animated short films Blogs

The Animation Pimp: Deviated Preverts or Making ‘Toomas Beneath the Valley of the Wild Wolves’

Chris Robinson reflects on the epic ‘handyman’ we first came to know and love in ‘Manivald,’ talking various absurdities with filmmakers Chintis Lundgren and Draško Ivezić.

In 2D, Digital Media, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld | Columns: The Animation Pimp | Blogs: The Animation Pimp | Geographic Region: All

Stay Frosty Headline News

Run the Jewels Gets Plastic in ‘Walking in the Snow’ Music Video

Rap duo El-P and Killer Mike fight a cold-as-ice enemy in a stop-motion short directed by Chris Hopewell, based on a track from the band’s latest album, ‘RTJ4.’

In 2D, Business, CG, Digital Media, Music Videos, People, Short Films, Stop-Motion | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Rock Around the Xmas Tree Headline News

WATCH: The White Stripes’ ‘Animated Yule Log Video’

Rock around the Christmas Tree with a crazy video featuring the band’s greatest hits, classic acoustic tracks, rarities, B-sides, and original Christmas song ‘Candy Cane Children.’