Celebrating the Art, Craft and Business of Animation https://www.awn.com/ en-US 15 Mon, 08 Dec 2025 05:34:15 -0800 Mon, 08 Dec 2025 05:36:26 -0800 https://www.awn.com/news/visual-effects-society-announces-ves-handbook-fourth-edition The newest VES Handbook of Visual Effects edition includes contributions from 30 new VFX experts and covers new topics like AI; releases December 18 from Routledge. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/visual-effects-society-announces-ves-handbook-fourth-edition Mon, 08 Dec 2025 5:34:15 PST Education and Training https://www.awn.com/news/world-vfx-day-2025-releases-full-program The final lineup for the free event, which each year spotlights the VFX and animation industries, features over 65 speakers across 15 hours of talks; will live stream via YouTube on December 8. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/world-vfx-day-2025-releases-full-program Thu, 04 Dec 2025 17:19:45 PST Education and Training https://www.awn.com/animationworld/breaking-rig-bat-fam-and-blood-and-bamboo For director Mike Roth and animation director Garrett Ray, getting the most from your 2D animation means you can’t limit yourself to what the rigs are capable of – you have to force them to get the result you’re after. Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/animationworld/breaking-rig-bat-fam-and-blood-and-bamboo Wed, 03 Dec 2025 15:05:46 PST Education and Training https://www.awn.com/animationworld/sam-koji-hale-talks-yamasong-2-and-ctns-first-puppet-scholarship 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. Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/animationworld/sam-koji-hale-talks-yamasong-2-and-ctns-first-puppet-scholarship Wed, 22 Oct 2025 10:43:51 PDT Education and Training https://www.awn.com/news/animation-educators-forum-announces-2025-top-5-student-films 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. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/animation-educators-forum-announces-2025-top-5-student-films Tue, 14 Oct 2025 7:43:21 PDT Education and Training https://www.awn.com/news/netflix-guillermo-del-toro-and-gobelins-paris-launch-stop-mo-studio To be housed at the school’s Paris campus and co-funded by the streamer and filmmaker, the initiative will begin its planning phase in the upcoming academic year. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/netflix-guillermo-del-toro-and-gobelins-paris-launch-stop-mo-studio Fri, 10 Oct 2025 15:30:06 PDT Education and Training 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 Education and Training https://www.awn.com/news/view-2025-reveals-expansive-full-conference-lineup It’s just 2 weeks away… more than 150 award-winning speakers from the world of animation, VFX, games and AI 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/view-2025-reveals-expansive-full-conference-lineup Thu, 02 Oct 2025 9:53:50 PDT Education and Training https://www.awn.com/event/infinity-festival-2025 The eighth annual festival returns to Los Angeles this October 9-10 to celebrate the convergence of art, technology, and entertainment; the Monolith Awards, hosted by Paul Debevec, Chief Research Officer of Eyeline Studios, will take place October 10. AWN Staff Editor https://www.awn.com/event/infinity-festival-2025 Mon, 29 Sep 2025 9:31:29 PDT Education and Training https://www.awn.com/event/fredrikstad-animation-festival-2025 FAF 2025 returns to Fredrikstad, Norway with a full program celebrating the dynamic storytelling of global animation October 23-26. AWN Staff Editor https://www.awn.com/event/fredrikstad-animation-festival-2025 Mon, 29 Sep 2025 9:21:22 PDT Education and Training https://www.awn.com/news/animation-educators-forum-announces-2025-26-student-scholarship-recipients 6 students were selected from the United States, Canada, and Spain; awards will be used to cover costs for necessary software and hardware; creative and academic research; and tuition. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/animation-educators-forum-announces-2025-26-student-scholarship-recipients Tue, 23 Sep 2025 14:10:11 PDT Education and Training https://www.awn.com/news/pete-docter-kick-24-hours-animation-contest-students The 23rd annual global competition, hosted by Professor Aubry Mintz at Cal State Long Beach, will award 7 teams for their 30-second animated film made in no more than 24 hours; famed Pixar director will not reveal theme until contest starts. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/pete-docter-kick-24-hours-animation-contest-students Fri, 19 Sep 2025 14:36:20 PDT Education and Training 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 Education and Training https://www.awn.com/event/spark-animation-2025 Spark CG returns to Vancouver with its animation festival and conference featuring an expansive program of talks, presentations, screenings, and network opportunities; the events run September 18-21. AWN Staff Editor https://www.awn.com/event/spark-animation-2025 Fri, 12 Sep 2025 12:04:28 PDT Education and Training https://www.awn.com/event/ottawa-international-animation-festival-2025 The festival returns to Ottawa September 24-28 featuring interactive artist talks, workshops and meetings with schools and recruiters; TAC takes place during the festival and offers industry professionals networking opportunities. AWN Staff Editor https://www.awn.com/event/ottawa-international-animation-festival-2025 Fri, 12 Sep 2025 11:29:23 PDT Education and Training https://www.awn.com/blog/can-chatgpt-write-animation-scripts-you You’ve probably heard the expression "Good-Fast-Cheap: You can only have two but never all three". Well, I believe you can get all three. Jeffrey Scott https://www.awn.com/blog/can-chatgpt-write-animation-scripts-you Wed, 10 Sep 2025 15:22:19 PDT Education and Training https://www.awn.com/blog/screenwriting-staffing-professional-screenwriters-perspective There’s one script marketplace that consistently delivers on its mission to connect writers with real producers, managers, and employers Jeffrey Scott https://www.awn.com/blog/screenwriting-staffing-professional-screenwriters-perspective Mon, 08 Sep 2025 14:53:57 PDT Education and Training https://www.awn.com/news/scad-animationfest-2025-returns-atlanta ‘Phineas and Ferb’ co-creators Dan Povenmire and Jeff ‘Swampy’ Marsh, along with ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ writers/directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans will be honored at the festival, which runs September 25-27; the 3-day event features screenings, panel discussions, and presentations from SCAD Alumni students, alumni and industry creatives. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/scad-animationfest-2025-returns-atlanta Wed, 03 Sep 2025 15:12:56 PDT Education and Training https://www.awn.com/news/flamin-animations-announces-new-animator-cohort Film London’s commissioning program for early-career Black and African, Asian, indigenous, Latin American, or mixed-heritage backgrounds animators welcomes David Adeyemi, Jasmine Hewitt, Brandon Saunders, and Lysander Wong to its 2025-2026 program. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/flamin-animations-announces-new-animator-cohort Wed, 03 Sep 2025 10:10:58 PDT Education and Training https://www.awn.com/news/adapt-one-launches-adapt-live-webinar-series The exclusive online series, which features artist Lorin Wood, kicks off this September with live demos, lectures, and Q&As for artists worldwide. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/adapt-one-launches-adapt-live-webinar-series Fri, 29 Aug 2025 13:56:30 PDT Education and Training https://www.awn.com/animationworld/six-game-changing-new-features-animators-latest-version-unreal-engine From faster keyframe editing to in-editor sculpting and dynamic rig physics, the latest UE 5.6 update brings a robust set of features that streamline animation workflows.  Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/animationworld/six-game-changing-new-features-animators-latest-version-unreal-engine Wed, 27 Aug 2025 13:28:17 PDT Education and Training https://www.awn.com/animationworld/stories-x-women-tales-jinns-genius-aliens-immigrants-and-family-curses From ghost stories and family curses to intergalactic misfits and urban rabbits, WIA’s 2025 animation creators’ cohort features 5 bold new projects from women across the globe, each exploring identity, legacy, and self-discovery in imaginative, culturally rich worlds. Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/animationworld/stories-x-women-tales-jinns-genius-aliens-immigrants-and-family-curses Tue, 26 Aug 2025 17:00:29 PDT Education and Training https://www.awn.com/news/vancouver-film-school-animation-career-review-announce-animation-scholarships 2 full-tuition scholarships, 4 75% off tuition scholarships, 6 50% off tuition scholarships, and multiple partial scholarships are open to applicants worldwide; entry period closes September 16. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/vancouver-film-school-animation-career-review-announce-animation-scholarships Mon, 25 Aug 2025 11:55:16 PDT Education and Training https://www.awn.com/news/ian-hunter-talk-fantastic-four-first-steps-practical-fx-view-2025 The Oscar-winning VFX supervisor and a team from Pro Machina will discuss their miniature work on the Excelsior retro rocketship; Emmy winner Alex Woo will present his upcoming 3DCG feature, ‘In Your Dreams,’ that hits Netflix November 14; conference runs October 12-17 in Turin, Italy. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/ian-hunter-talk-fantastic-four-first-steps-practical-fx-view-2025 Thu, 14 Aug 2025 10:02:43 PDT Education and Training https://www.awn.com/news/academy-elects-2025-2026-academy-foundation-board-members-officers The Academy Foundation Board comprises 12 trustees who also serve as members of the Academy Board of Governors; casting director Kim Taylor-Coleman was elected Board president. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/academy-elects-2025-2026-academy-foundation-board-members-officers Mon, 11 Aug 2025 9:33:16 PDT Education and Training https://www.awn.com/news/catch-national-film-board-canada-siggraph-2025 Head of technical direction and production technologies Éloi Champagne will participate in a Real-Time Live! Session, and will sit down with filmmaker Amanda Strong to discuss ‘Inkwo for When the Starving Return;’ Jo Roy’s ‘Corpus and the Wandering’ will screen as part of the Electronic Theater. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/catch-national-film-board-canada-siggraph-2025 Fri, 08 Aug 2025 9:41:08 PDT Education and Training https://www.awn.com/news/foundry-host-sinners-fireside-vfx-chat-siggraph-2025 Set for August 12 at 5 pm PT, the intimate panel discussion will explore how Production VFX Supervisor Michael Ralla, ILM VFX Supervisor Nick Marshall, and Rising Sun Pictures VFX Supervisor Guido Wolter built a shared vision for the supernatural tale set in the 1930s Mississippi Delta. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/foundry-host-sinners-fireside-vfx-chat-siggraph-2025 Wed, 06 Aug 2025 15:56:18 PDT Education and Training https://www.awn.com/news/pierre-perifel-and-matt-baer-present-bad-guys-2-view-2025 The hilarious new DreamWorks Animation comedy’s director and VFX supervisor will share an in-depth look at the creative process behind the production of their film, now showing in theaters; conference runs October 12-17 in Turin, Italy. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/pierre-perifel-and-matt-baer-present-bad-guys-2-view-2025 Wed, 06 Aug 2025 10:30:26 PDT Education and Training https://www.awn.com/blog/hitting-one-home-team The Cleveland Institute of Art’s new Interactive Media Lab has Disney DNA. Kevin Geiger https://www.awn.com/blog/hitting-one-home-team Mon, 04 Aug 2025 15:20:14 PDT Education and Training https://www.awn.com/news/bill-kroyer-animation-educators-forum-event-set The free Zoom talk, the 8th salon for ASIFA-Hollywood’s AEF, featuring the Oscar-nominated director, Chapman University Professor Emeritus, and author of ‘Mr. In-Between: My Life in the Middle of the Animation Revolution,’ will be held August 10 at 11 am PST. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/bill-kroyer-animation-educators-forum-event-set Fri, 01 Aug 2025 11:21:57 PDT Education and Training