Celebrating the Art, Craft and Business of Animation https://www.awn.com/ en-US 15 Tue, 16 Dec 2025 13:12:15 -0800 Wed, 17 Dec 2025 02:51:03 -0800 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 Music and Sound 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 Music and Sound 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 Music and Sound https://www.awn.com/animationworld/whale-52-sings-song-hope-lonely Indie animation legend Bill Plympton’s latest short film, directed by Emmy-winning actor Daniel Neiden and starring Bruce Vilanch, tells the emotional and uplifting story of an aging widower, a school volunteer, working with a young selective mute boy, who connect through a written journal and the true legend of the ‘loneliest’ whale.   Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/animationworld/whale-52-sings-song-hope-lonely Wed, 10 Dec 2025 12:23:00 PST Music and Sound https://www.awn.com/news/andreas-dejas-award-winning-mushka-sets-december-15-streaming-release 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; coming to all major global VOD platforms.   Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/andreas-dejas-award-winning-mushka-sets-december-15-streaming-release Mon, 01 Dec 2025 15:16:27 PST Music and Sound https://www.awn.com/animationworld/re-view-kpop-demon-hunters-beauty-broken-glass Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans’ hit animated musical about a trio of women battling against a band of demons intent on taking over the world presents big ideas with a deceptively light touch; its gorgeously accessible imagery and brisk toe-tapping pace are as catchy as the lyrics of its songs. Dr. Maria Elena Gutierrez https://www.awn.com/animationworld/re-view-kpop-demon-hunters-beauty-broken-glass Mon, 01 Dec 2025 12:46:01 PST Music and Sound https://www.awn.com/news/angel-releases-david-animated-musical-trailer The upcoming 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. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/angel-releases-david-animated-musical-trailer Thu, 20 Nov 2025 17:07:35 PST Music and Sound https://www.awn.com/news/watch-making-two-ships-animated-short Go behind-the-scenes with writer/director McKinley Benson and writer/producer Mackenzie Benson as they detail the production process, from development to sound design, of their award winning 2D film about how a couple working opposite schedules tries to maintain their connection through fleeting encounters. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/watch-making-two-ships-animated-short Thu, 20 Nov 2025 10:16:47 PST Music and Sound https://www.awn.com/news/exclusive-clip-chuck-e-cheese-christmas-partymobile-rescue In a clip from the upcoming special, Chuck E. Cheese and his friends hop in the Partymobile as they race to deck the halls - the whole gang plans a magical adventure to save Christmas filled with music, laughter, and holiday cheer; premieres November 27 on Prime Video and YouTube. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/exclusive-clip-chuck-e-cheese-christmas-partymobile-rescue Wed, 19 Nov 2025 9:06:34 PST Music and Sound https://www.awn.com/news/bigone-launches-maison-de-castle-animated-series-youtube The physical figure-animation hybrid series, which merges stop-motion with real-time CGI face-swapping technology, is now streaming in 4K. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/bigone-launches-maison-de-castle-animated-series-youtube Fri, 07 Nov 2025 14:00:22 PST Music and Sound https://www.awn.com/news/telstra-nexus-studios-team-together-builds-better-stop-mo-spot Directed by Johnny Kelly and created in partnership with +61 and Bear Meets Eagle on Fire, the commercial features the animators’ visible hands for a ‘behind-the-scenes’ feel. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/telstra-nexus-studios-team-together-builds-better-stop-mo-spot Tue, 04 Nov 2025 17:15:14 PST Music and Sound https://www.awn.com/animationworld/tale-2-chainsaw-men As ‘Chainsaw Man: The Movie – Reze Arc’ proves it’s not just ‘Demon Slayer’ that can storm the U.S. box office, anime columnist Andrew Osmond looks over the franchise on both big and small screens. Andrew Osmond https://www.awn.com/animationworld/tale-2-chainsaw-men Fri, 31 Oct 2025 10:23:00 PDT Music and Sound https://www.awn.com/news/jeremy-renner-boards-stardust-future-stars-and-scars-ai-animated-feature The actor will lend his voice to the ‘Oracle of Time’ narrator on the film, which blends 2D and 3D animation; set for a November theatrical release. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/jeremy-renner-boards-stardust-future-stars-and-scars-ai-animated-feature Mon, 20 Oct 2025 14:55:04 PDT Music and Sound https://www.awn.com/news/prime-video-drops-hazbin-hotel-season-2-trailer Hell awaits yee with big, sharp, pointy teeth… the highly anticipated new season of the hellishly funny musical series from creator Vivienne Medrano, A24, and FOX Entertainment’s Bento Box streams October 29. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/prime-video-drops-hazbin-hotel-season-2-trailer Wed, 01 Oct 2025 10:21:33 PDT Music and Sound https://www.awn.com/news/universal-drops-wicked-good-final-official-trailer Elphaba, now living in exile and known as the Wicked Witch of the West, continues her fight for the freedom of Oz’s animals, and her friendship with Glinda, in the epic conclusion of Jon M. Chu’s 2-part musical fantasy adventure; hits theaters this November. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/universal-drops-wicked-good-final-official-trailer Wed, 24 Sep 2025 7:21:25 PDT Music and Sound https://www.awn.com/vfxworld/randy-thom-sonically-brings-how-train-your-dragon-life The Oscar-winning sound designer walks through his process on Dean DeBlois’ hit live-action reimagining of the first film in DreamWorks Animation’s hugely successful animated franchise, including recording wind blowing through barns and around telephone wires. Trevor Hogg https://www.awn.com/vfxworld/randy-thom-sonically-brings-how-train-your-dragon-life Mon, 22 Sep 2025 16:18:13 PDT Music and Sound https://www.awn.com/animationworld/inside-world-kpop-demon-hunters-maggie-kang-and-chris-appelhans The writers and directors of the smash Netflix animated musical talk about balancing Korean culture, music, and mythology while telling an entertaining story with characters that feel like real K-pop stars within a legitimate K-pop world. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/animationworld/inside-world-kpop-demon-hunters-maggie-kang-and-chris-appelhans Wed, 20 Aug 2025 17:35:53 PDT Music and Sound https://www.awn.com/news/dan-french-crafts-underground-world-jianbos-honour-music-video Directed and animated by the artist and produced by Stink, the short takes viewers on a surreal descent into a stylized, CGI cyber-world where identity, ancestry, and alternate futures collide. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/dan-french-crafts-underground-world-jianbos-honour-music-video Mon, 18 Aug 2025 12:03:24 PDT Music and Sound https://www.awn.com/news/iheartmedia-debuts-war-roses-animated-series-adaptation Hosted by show creator Sean ‘Hollywood’ Hamilton and his co-host Marie, the show brings real radio episodes to life through stylized animation and a spatial audio mix powered by Eclipsa Audio. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/iheartmedia-debuts-war-roses-animated-series-adaptation Wed, 13 Aug 2025 9:08:46 PDT Music and Sound https://www.awn.com/animationworld/designing-sound-and-style-netflixs-kpop-demon-hunters Blending ancient Korean cultural motifs with the energy of modern K-Pop, executive music producer Ian Eisendrath as well as production designer Dave Bleich and art director Wendell Dalit helped craft the hit animated film’s mesmerizing choreography, vibrant color palette, and chart-topping tracks. Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/animationworld/designing-sound-and-style-netflixs-kpop-demon-hunters Fri, 08 Aug 2025 16:17:53 PDT Music and Sound https://www.awn.com/news/apple-tv-shares-snoopy-presents-summer-musical-trailer The first new Peanuts musical in over 3 decades features Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the rest of the gang breaking out in original songs as they discover the magic of summer camp, debuting August 15. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/apple-tv-shares-snoopy-presents-summer-musical-trailer Wed, 30 Jul 2025 10:16:49 PDT Music and Sound https://www.awn.com/news/tony-award-winner-cole-escola-boards-warners-animated-margie-claus Kirk DeMicco directs the upcoming holiday musical comedy from Warner Bros. Pictures Animation that stars Melissa McCarthy as Santa’s wife, who must assemble a ragtag team of retired reindeer for a rescue mission to save Saint Nick and Christmas. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/tony-award-winner-cole-escola-boards-warners-animated-margie-claus Fri, 25 Jul 2025 17:56:53 PDT Music and Sound https://www.awn.com/news/prime-video-shares-hazbin-hotel-season-2-helluva-boss-seasons-1-and-2-debut-dates New cast members and an upcoming special episode, along with a 2-season renewal, were also announced at the packed San Diego Comic-Con panel. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/prime-video-shares-hazbin-hotel-season-2-helluva-boss-seasons-1-and-2-debut-dates Fri, 25 Jul 2025 10:48:52 PDT Music and Sound https://www.awn.com/news/dinonauts-animated-feature-now-streaming Hitch a ride with the mutant dinos on the Intergalactic Piranha as they traverse space and time, defend the galaxy, befriend sentient alien beings, and rip the ultimate synthwave mixtape. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/dinonauts-animated-feature-now-streaming Thu, 10 Jul 2025 8:54:11 PDT Music and Sound https://www.awn.com/news/out-inkwell-silent-cartoons-max-fleischer-heads-momi A block of classic Fleischer Studios shorts, restored by Jane Fleischer Reid, will screen on July 12; live music from Charlie Judkins will accompany the show. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/out-inkwell-silent-cartoons-max-fleischer-heads-momi Tue, 08 Jul 2025 9:12:39 PDT Music and Sound https://www.awn.com/news/sony-drops-demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-infinity-castle-trailer-key-visual The first film in a 3-part cinematic trilogy will hit IMAX and premium large format theatres in the US and Canada on September 12. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/sony-drops-demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-infinity-castle-trailer-key-visual Tue, 01 Jul 2025 8:06:23 PDT Music and Sound https://www.awn.com/news/future-brain-media-releases-first-official-city-island-soundtrack Featuring original songs from the PBS Kids animated series written and performed by Tunde Adebimpe, the album is now available on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/future-brain-media-releases-first-official-city-island-soundtrack Fri, 27 Jun 2025 12:14:22 PDT Music and Sound https://www.awn.com/animationworld/sing-bit-harmony-and-anime-musical Columnist Andrew Osmond enthuses about the musical comedy, now on Crunchyroll, and how not all anime musicals feature pop idols. Andrew Osmond https://www.awn.com/animationworld/sing-bit-harmony-and-anime-musical Thu, 26 Jun 2025 15:48:03 PDT Music and Sound https://www.awn.com/news/disney-branded-television-announces-mickey-mouse-clubhouse-debut The continuation of Emmy-winning ‘Mickey Mouse Clubhouse’ premieres July 21 on Disney Jr., next day on Disney+; features 'Hot Dog!' song by They Might Be Giants from original series. L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/disney-branded-television-announces-mickey-mouse-clubhouse-debut Tue, 24 Jun 2025 10:07:12 PDT Music and Sound https://www.awn.com/animationworld/behind-big-mouths-animated-mayhem-go-inside-series-anthony-lioi With Nick Kroll and Andrew Goldberg’s ground-breaking, sometimes raunchy, always hilarious, Emmy Award-winning adult comedy’s 8-season run now concluded, the EP and supervising director discusses the Netflix show’s rich, boundary-pushing visual design, production challenges, and occasional jizz reference. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/animationworld/behind-big-mouths-animated-mayhem-go-inside-series-anthony-lioi Tue, 17 Jun 2025 17:26:28 PDT Music and Sound