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.
The awards ceremony, set for April 17, 2026, will recognize the best Ibero-American animation works in 10 categories; the call is open to animated projects released between June 1, 2024, and December 31, 2025.
Pierre-Luc Granjon’s short about a child’s magical inner world takes the top prize; ‘Kafka in Love’ wins for Best Nordic-Baltic Short, while ‘Papillon’ wins for Best Global Short.
The Digital Wizards Studios founder originally chose sculpting because he couldn’t draw; 2 decades later, the veteran of LEGO stopmo projects for ‘Jurassic Park,’ ‘Happy Potter,’ ‘The Avengers’ and ‘Star Wars’ has 2 completely different but equally rewarding films on the festival circuit.
A special livestream premiere of the latest installment from creator Sarah Schmidt is set for October 31; will include a compilation of previously released shorts and a live chat with the animation director alongside other voiceover cast members.
Seattle’s newest animation festival returns for its second edition February 27-28, 2026.
Scotland’s premiere animation gathering takes place February 18-21; submissions are now open for the 2026 short film competition.
The annual global media conference, dedicated exclusively to the kids’ entertainment sector, takes place February 22-25, 2026 in San Diego.
The festival, running December 6-7 in Los Angeles, cultivates and promotes the art and science of animation by bringing together both local and international artists and filmmakers from across the animation spectrum.
The one-of-a-kind festival returns to its airport home November 21-25 with films, lectures, and exhibitions from Japanese and international creators.
The puppet master and filmmaker shares footage and images from his return to the ‘Yamasong’ universe with a sequel centered on 2 young heroes as their planet faces new peril while it heals from a ravaging war; CTN launches its first Sam Koji Hale Puppet Film Scholarship, pairing in-progress student films with Hale’s workshops ahead of this November’s expo.
London’s longest running animation festival returns November 28-December 7 featuring a spectrum of contemporary and international animation.
The animated short film festival promises the best in international auteur animation; the event returns to Karlsruhe November 28-29.
The 2-hour Sunday block begins November 2; will also include the later cartoon series ‘Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures’ produced by Ralph Bakshi.
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.
The highly illustrated ‘graphic-ish’ novel for young readers tells the story of a rabbit born with small ears who braves staring neighbors and disapproving elders to explore the wonderful world outside the warren; see the author at LightBox Expo on October 25.
The ‘Ghibliotheque’ guide to animated film spans 30 chapters, each focusing on a different country’s local talent and global impact, with more than 150 images and illustrations from a wide selection of top movies.
The 23rd annual global student competition saw close to 800 films judged, with 7 teams handed over $130,000 in prizes.
AWN is now a media partner with the leading award that recognizes excellence in video and TV across all screens; submissions now being accepted through December 12.
The 3-episode set follows a go-getting woman named Chip with a range of eclectic goals and a penchant for extreme violence; first episode now available.
The international animation festival, founded in 2007, is dedicated to indie and student films; the festival runs December 6-7.
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
This year’s Student Animation Showcase film selections are all from Ringling College of Art and Design; each to receive ASIFA-Hollywood membership and free submissions to the Annie Awards.
Director Giovanna Ferrari and Cartoon Saloon bring Celtic mythology and feminine resilience to life in the hand-drawn short that reimagines Ireland’s spiritual connection to nature through a fearless young girl’s mythic journey.
The project, from animator and director Bankole Lasekan, follows a schoolboy and baby rhino who are forced into an alliance for survival in the African savannah.
