Celebrating the Art, Craft and Business of Animation https://www.awn.com/ en-US 15 Fri, 19 Dec 2025 15:30:53 -0800 Fri, 19 Dec 2025 15:35:37 -0800 https://www.awn.com/animationworld/ugly-mugs-and-ai-gone-wrong-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-chrome-alone-2-lost-new In Paramount Picture’s animated short, a mysterious company run by an AI Robot, Chrome Dome, seeks to profit off the boy’s new hero status… with cheap, twisted, and lame looking toys that barely resemble the team. Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/animationworld/ugly-mugs-and-ai-gone-wrong-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-chrome-alone-2-lost-new Fri, 19 Dec 2025 15:30:53 PST All https://www.awn.com/news/millimages-storyzoo-friends-partner-linear-fast-avod-and-svod-channels Deal to bring kids’ series to European viewers calls for licensing of more than 300 episodes from globally recognized preschool catalog, including ‘Louie (Louie, Draw Me),’ ‘Mouk,’ ‘Hilltop Hospital,’ and ‘Molang.’ Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/news/millimages-storyzoo-friends-partner-linear-fast-avod-and-svod-channels Fri, 19 Dec 2025 13:39:58 PST All https://www.awn.com/news/tubi-expands-animation-partnership-animated-comedy-slate Newly added titles include series from the animation collective Explosm, Skybound Entertainment’s ‘PSI Cops,’ and ‘Melvin’s Macabre’ from Meatcanyon. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/tubi-expands-animation-partnership-animated-comedy-slate Thu, 18 Dec 2025 14:44:24 PST All https://www.awn.com/news/angel-release-andy-serkis-animal-farm-theaters The 3DCG adaptation of George Orwell’s classic novel boasts a voice cast that includes Seth Rogen, Glenn Close, Kieran Culkin, and Woody Harrelson; hits the cineplex on May 1, 2026. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/angel-release-andy-serkis-animal-farm-theaters Thu, 18 Dec 2025 13:57:25 PST All https://www.awn.com/news/adult-swim-renews-haha-you-clowns-2-additional-seasons The animated comedy from creator Joe Cappa follows three doting teenagers and their recently widowed dad as they navigate life’s awkward, funny, and emotional moments together. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/adult-swim-renews-haha-you-clowns-2-additional-seasons Thu, 18 Dec 2025 13:21:44 PST All 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 All 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 All https://www.awn.com/news/bluebolt-adds-vfx-supervisor-ben-white Boasting nearly 30 years’ experience, the visual effects vet joins from the Cinesite group, where he served as VFX Supervisor on projects including ‘Black Widow,’ ‘Loki,’ and ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.’ L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/bluebolt-adds-vfx-supervisor-ben-white Wed, 17 Dec 2025 16:18:08 PST All https://www.awn.com/news/xilam-ugc-team-empire-ants-series-adaptation The project, based on the popular Bernard Werber novel, will be produced using live-action for the human narrative and VFX for the ant world. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/xilam-ugc-team-empire-ants-series-adaptation Wed, 17 Dec 2025 15:55:42 PST All https://www.awn.com/vfxworld/visual-effects-practically-speaking-gen-v-season-2 VFX Supervisor Karen Heston talks gender-changing and shrinking/growing characters, moveable silicone blood mats, and capturing as much as possible in-camera on the second season of the Prime Video ‘The Boys’ spinoff about students at Godolkin University whose lives are complicated by injections of Compound V. Trevor Hogg https://www.awn.com/vfxworld/visual-effects-practically-speaking-gen-v-season-2 Wed, 17 Dec 2025 11:47:39 PST All https://www.awn.com/news/one-us-brings-swamp-witcher-season-4 Watch the VFX breakdown reel featuring the studio’s work crafting 210 visual effects shots across 4 episodes; highlights include the parasite-ridden Greylock, reimagined Roach Hounds, and the unsettling Mother and Little Rusalka swamp duo. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/one-us-brings-swamp-witcher-season-4 Wed, 17 Dec 2025 10:36:56 PST All https://www.awn.com/news/netflix-drops-stranger-things-5-volume-2-trailer Head back to the Upside Down; the next episode set of the fight to find and kill Vecna premieres December 25, followed by The Finale on December 31; Volume 1 is now streaming. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/netflix-drops-stranger-things-5-volume-2-trailer Wed, 17 Dec 2025 9:13:52 PST All https://www.awn.com/vfxworld/re-view-frankenstein-acts-love-and-forgiveness Oscar-winning filmmaker Guillermo del Toro’s most complete work to date transforms Mary Shelley’s iconic 1818 novel from a cautionary tale of the perils of hubris into a redemptive fable about the ability to forgive. Dr. Maria Elena Gutierrez https://www.awn.com/vfxworld/re-view-frankenstein-acts-love-and-forgiveness Tue, 16 Dec 2025 17:11:48 PST All https://www.awn.com/animationworld/winter-tv-anime-roundup-shooting-santa-and-monstrous-mermaids Columnist Andrew Osmond looks in on some of the top current shows, including ‘Sanda,’ ‘The Monster Wants to Eat Me,’ and ‘Touring After the Apocalypse.’ Andrew Osmond https://www.awn.com/animationworld/winter-tv-anime-roundup-shooting-santa-and-monstrous-mermaids Tue, 16 Dec 2025 15:08:04 PST All https://www.awn.com/news/livingston-taylor-joins-hundred-acre-woods-winnie-and-friends-winnie-pooh The celebrated folk singer will perform a live song from the upcoming Kartoon Studios animated series at a table read following sneak peek showing on December 16 at the Chinese Theatre. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/livingston-taylor-joins-hundred-acre-woods-winnie-and-friends-winnie-pooh Tue, 16 Dec 2025 13:12:15 PST All 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 All https://www.awn.com/news/adobe-firefly-introduces-new-ai-video-tools-partner-models New Prompt to Edit controls allow users to make precise edits and remove details from generated content using text; video upscaling with Topaz Astra added; the full beta of Firefly video editor has also launched. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/adobe-firefly-introduces-new-ai-video-tools-partner-models Tue, 16 Dec 2025 7:24:14 PST All https://www.awn.com/news/exclusive-clip-angels-david-animated-musical The upcoming 3DCG film, which charts the eponymous boy’s rise from shepherd to king as he challenges a giant and defends his kingdom, hits theaters December 19. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/exclusive-clip-angels-david-animated-musical Tue, 16 Dec 2025 7:02:26 PST All https://www.awn.com/news/prime-video-moves-fallout-season-2-release The announcement was made with a Wasteland transformation on the Exosphere of Sphere in Las Vegas; premiere set for today, December 16. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/prime-video-moves-fallout-season-2-release Tue, 16 Dec 2025 2:33:47 PST All https://www.awn.com/animationworld/jeff-kinney-talks-parenting-and-diary-wimpy-kid-last-straw The hugely successful author and screenwriter brings his and his team’s personal experience – and plenty of real stories – to the new 3DCG film about Greg Heffley dealing with his father Frank’s outsized expectations; based on his novels that follow a disaster-prone middle school student, it’s now streaming on Disney+. Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/animationworld/jeff-kinney-talks-parenting-and-diary-wimpy-kid-last-straw Mon, 15 Dec 2025 16:23:54 PST All https://www.awn.com/news/milk-shares-witcher-season-4-vfx-breakdown-reel The studio contributed visual effects across multiple episodes of the Netflix fantasy series, including two technically complex fight sequences in Episode 6; work includes choreographed battles, magic, blood, and CG swords. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/milk-shares-witcher-season-4-vfx-breakdown-reel Mon, 15 Dec 2025 11:39:45 PST All https://www.awn.com/news/andreas-dejas-award-winning-mushka-now-streaming Now out on all major VOD platforms, the Disney Legend’s 28-minute hand-drawn animated short, nearly a decade in the making, tells the heartwarming story of a young Ukrainian girl who must decide to save or leave in the wild an orphaned Siberian tiger cub she discovers.  Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/andreas-dejas-award-winning-mushka-now-streaming Mon, 15 Dec 2025 10:17:32 PST All https://www.awn.com/news/netflix-sets-devil-may-cry-season-2-release In the upcoming season, a war between worlds ignites as Dante must battle the only force that mirrors his own: his estranged twin brother Vergil; premieres May 12, 2026. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/netflix-sets-devil-may-cry-season-2-release Mon, 15 Dec 2025 9:27:11 PST All https://www.awn.com/news/noted-photographer-and-filmmaker-paul-de-nooijer-dies-82 Known as one of the forerunners of staged photography made popular in the Netherlands, his stop-motion works combined photography with film, often made in collaboration with son Menno. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/noted-photographer-and-filmmaker-paul-de-nooijer-dies-82 Fri, 12 Dec 2025 15:16:10 PST All https://www.awn.com/animationworld/shorts-focus-jordan-michael-blakes-paradise-man-ii Made in 2 months on a laptop using repurposed stock animated GIFS, the uniquely designed, compellingly abstract film tells the story of how Paradise Man’s obsession with golf is waylaid when his mother has an accident, causing him to look deeply within himself. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/animationworld/shorts-focus-jordan-michael-blakes-paradise-man-ii Thu, 11 Dec 2025 16:21:34 PST All https://www.awn.com/news/join-andreas-deja-mushka-streaming-launch-party-december-15 Enter the free raffle to snag your spot at the upcoming gathering in Burbank celebrating the global VOD release of the iconic Disney legend’s directorial debut – and win a day pass to CTNX 2026 as well. Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/news/join-andreas-deja-mushka-streaming-launch-party-december-15 Thu, 11 Dec 2025 14:39:13 PST All https://www.awn.com/animationworld/chris-lavis-talks-girl-who-cried-pearls The Oscar-nominated filmmaker discusses his and Maciek Szczerbowski’s latest stop-motion tour de force, how the tough decision to cut 3 minutes was the right call, and how a ‘beautiful film’ is easily forgotten if the story doesn’t move the audience. Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/animationworld/chris-lavis-talks-girl-who-cried-pearls Thu, 11 Dec 2025 13:56:59 PST All https://www.awn.com/news/webtoon-announces-2026-creator-program-expansion A new suite of programs will empower more Creators with expanded monetization opportunities and international creator engagement; Creator Residency will roll out in 2026. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/webtoon-announces-2026-creator-program-expansion Thu, 11 Dec 2025 12:24:02 PST All https://www.awn.com/animationworld/shorts-focus-mckinley-bensons-two-ships Writer/director McKinley Benson, writer/producer Mackenzie Benson, and EP Jodi Benson talk about the beauty of the ordinary, like sticky notes left on a refrigerator, and how little moments between two people take on such special meaning in their award winning 2D film about how a couple working opposite schedules tries to maintain their connection through fleeting encounters. Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/animationworld/shorts-focus-mckinley-bensons-two-ships Thu, 11 Dec 2025 11:03:14 PST All https://www.awn.com/animationworld/shorts-focus-andr-s-palmas-shimmer The 3D animated film, produced at Mexico’s Escena Animation Studio, tells the story of shipwrecked family whose father’s efforts to secure their rescue blinds him to his neglect and the mistrust he fostered in his eldest daughter, who forces him to choose between his dreams and his children. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/animationworld/shorts-focus-andr-s-palmas-shimmer Wed, 10 Dec 2025 16:01:20 PST All