Celebrating the Art, Craft and Business of Animation https://www.awn.com/ en-US 15 Thu, 18 Dec 2025 07:39:31 -0800 Thu, 18 Dec 2025 07:40:13 -0800 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 Guilds/Unions/Organizations 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 Guilds/Unions/Organizations 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 Guilds/Unions/Organizations 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 Guilds/Unions/Organizations 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 Guilds/Unions/Organizations https://www.awn.com/news/83rd-golden-globe-awards-nominations-announced ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ scores nods for best animated feature, best cinematic and box office achievement, and best original song, while ‘Arco,’ ‘Demon Slayer,’ ‘Elio,’ ‘Little Amélie or the Character of Rain’ and ‘Zootopia 2’ are all nominated for best animated motion picture; awards ceremony set for January 11. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/83rd-golden-globe-awards-nominations-announced Mon, 08 Dec 2025 12:35:52 PST Guilds/Unions/Organizations 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 Guilds/Unions/Organizations 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 Guilds/Unions/Organizations https://www.awn.com/animationworld/national-film-board-canada-ep-christine-no-l-girl-who-cried-pearls-and-shaping-future The Executive Producer reflects on acclaimed projects like Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski’s new film, her support for diverse creators, and her efforts to sustain the NFB’s legacy of innovation through a collaborative production model that continues to achieve major festival and awards success. National Film Board of Canada https://www.awn.com/animationworld/national-film-board-canada-ep-christine-no-l-girl-who-cried-pearls-and-shaping-future Thu, 04 Dec 2025 7:24:20 PST Guilds/Unions/Organizations https://www.awn.com/news/35-animated-features-eligible-academy-awards-consideration Academy members will vote to determine five nominees for best animated feature film award at the 99th Oscars; films also qualify for other categories including best picture. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/35-animated-features-eligible-academy-awards-consideration Fri, 21 Nov 2025 13:39:23 PST Guilds/Unions/Organizations https://www.awn.com/news/young-animators-year-awards-2025-winners-announced From a field of 44 nominees across the UK, 7 emerging artists were celebrated for their outstanding original short films across 2D, 3D, and stop-motion categories. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/young-animators-year-awards-2025-winners-announced Wed, 19 Nov 2025 9:35:21 PST Guilds/Unions/Organizations https://www.awn.com/news/tickets-now-sale-53rd-annie-awards The annual event that recognizes the animation industry’s most talented artists and projects returns to UCLA’s Royce Hall on Saturday, February 21, 2026. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/tickets-now-sale-53rd-annie-awards Mon, 17 Nov 2025 11:51:10 PST Guilds/Unions/Organizations https://www.awn.com/news/danny-lin-elected-animation-guild-president The 6 executive board officers selected include former president Jeanette Moreno King, who did not seek re-election but will assume a different role. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/danny-lin-elected-animation-guild-president Mon, 10 Nov 2025 15:21:36 PST Guilds/Unions/Organizations https://www.awn.com/news/framestore-host-world-vfx-day-2025 The free livestream event, set for December 8, will showcase the art, craft, and innovation of visual effects in filmmaking. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/framestore-host-world-vfx-day-2025 Fri, 24 Oct 2025 13:35:34 PDT Guilds/Unions/Organizations 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 Guilds/Unions/Organizations 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 Guilds/Unions/Organizations https://www.awn.com/news/st-jude-childrens-research-hospital-tongal-unveil-fever-fighter-series The first-of-its-kind animated project inspired by artwork from St. Jude patient Ethan Washburn follows a character whose superpower is fighting fevers and has long served as an informal mascot for patients and families. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/st-jude-childrens-research-hospital-tongal-unveil-fever-fighter-series Wed, 08 Oct 2025 13:28:36 PDT Guilds/Unions/Organizations https://www.awn.com/news/ves-inducts-jon-favreau-and-tim-sweeney-honorary-members The society also announces special honorees to be recognized at VES Honors Celebration coming November 7. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/ves-inducts-jon-favreau-and-tim-sweeney-honorary-members Tue, 07 Oct 2025 16:12:01 PDT Guilds/Unions/Organizations https://www.awn.com/news/winners-announced-2025-student-academy-awards 12 short films, including 3 animations, from 3,127 entries, are awarded at 52nd ceremony, held in New York City; all winning films now eligible for 98th Oscars. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/winners-announced-2025-student-academy-awards Tue, 07 Oct 2025 9:22:37 PDT Guilds/Unions/Organizations https://www.awn.com/news/animation-guild-announces-2-dreamworks-animation-worker-union-milestones TAG 839 shares the ratification of a first-ever union contract for the studio’s production workers and the unionization of remote workers across the U.S. who contribute to LA-based projects. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/animation-guild-announces-2-dreamworks-animation-worker-union-milestones Fri, 26 Sep 2025 14:04:43 PDT Guilds/Unions/Organizations https://www.awn.com/news/3-different-animation-worker-groups-submit-union-recognition-tag-839 In what’s being called an ‘historic week of organizing’ at The Animation Guild, IATSE Local 839, workers at Netflix Animation Studios, on ‘Ted’ at NBCUniversal, and at SpindleHorse have formally moved to join the union. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/3-different-animation-worker-groups-submit-union-recognition-tag-839 Wed, 17 Sep 2025 16:45:51 PDT Guilds/Unions/Organizations https://www.awn.com/news/filante-takes-best-show-spark-animation-2025 ‘We’re Kinda Different,’ ‘What We Leave Behind,’ ‘Gauze,’ and ’18 Months’ also notch wins; Willie Ito receives the Lifetime Achievement Award; awards ceremony set for September 21 - screenings begin September 18, while conference runs September 20-21. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/filante-takes-best-show-spark-animation-2025 Tue, 16 Sep 2025 16:51:14 PDT Guilds/Unions/Organizations https://www.awn.com/news/submissions-24th-annual-ves-awards-now-open Entries will be accepted through October 31, 2025 for projects released between January 1 and December 31, 2025; the awards gala is set for February 26, 2026. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/submissions-24th-annual-ves-awards-now-open Mon, 15 Sep 2025 16:30:25 PDT Guilds/Unions/Organizations https://www.awn.com/news/spark-cg-announces-spark-animation-2025-program Festival screenings begin September 18 with Kid Koala’s ‘Space Cadet;’ conference, which runs September 20-21, will open with a Brad Bird talk; presentations on the making of ‘KPop Demon Hunters,’ Pixar Animation’s ‘Elio,’ the adaptation of Roald Dahl’s ‘The Twits,’ and ‘In Your Dreams’ are scheduled. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/spark-cg-announces-spark-animation-2025-program Fri, 12 Sep 2025 11:16:16 PDT Guilds/Unions/Organizations https://www.awn.com/news/15-nfb-films-headed-oiaf-2025 4 shorts in competition by Alex Boya, Matea Radic, Abbey Collings and the duo of Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski lead the expansive slate that includes a special screening of Donald McWilliams’ ‘A Return to Memory;’ festival runs September 24–28. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/15-nfb-films-headed-oiaf-2025 Tue, 09 Sep 2025 12:27:43 PDT Guilds/Unions/Organizations https://www.awn.com/news/andor-arcane-and-severance-lead-creative-arts-emmy-winners All 3 shows take home 2 awards in the animation and VFX categories; ‘The Penguin’ wins for Special Visual Effects in a Single Episode at the awards ceremonies held over two days this weekend at the Peacock Theater in LA. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/andor-arcane-and-severance-lead-creative-arts-emmy-winners Mon, 08 Sep 2025 7:48:29 PDT Guilds/Unions/Organizations https://www.awn.com/news/laugh-factory-host-autism-entertainment-fundraiser The September 7 event, featuring Netflix’s ‘Love on the Spectrum’ star Dani Bowman, will spotlight stand-up comedians alongside live musical and improv performances, plus a documentary short film premiere. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/laugh-factory-host-autism-entertainment-fundraiser Thu, 04 Sep 2025 14:02:55 PDT Guilds/Unions/Organizations 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 Guilds/Unions/Organizations https://www.awn.com/animationworld/18-months-subway-baby-and-miraculous-adoption Exploring love, social stigma and permanent families, Klick Health and Zombie Studio’s powerful stop-motion short tells the true story of an infant – Kevin - found in a New York subway and the two men - Pete Mercurio and Danny Stewart - who unexpectedly became his fathers. Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/animationworld/18-months-subway-baby-and-miraculous-adoption Tue, 02 Sep 2025 14:56:08 PDT Guilds/Unions/Organizations https://www.awn.com/news/national-film-board-canadas-hothouse-15-program-now-online The latest edition features work by 6 emerging animation filmmakers: ‘Get a Grip’ by Abbey Collings; ‘I Want to Go Home’ by Mégan Dupont; ‘Intruder’ by Max Ma; ‘Panoptic’ by Katie Finn; ‘Springrise’ by Mitchell Keys; and ‘Super Mr. Woods’ by Aerin Wu. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/national-film-board-canadas-hothouse-15-program-now-online Fri, 29 Aug 2025 13:09:39 PDT Guilds/Unions/Organizations