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Awards Headline News

Art Directors Guild Unveils 30th Annual ADG Award Nominations

By Dan Sarto | Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 5:14pm

‘Elio,’ ‘KPop Demon Hunters,’ ‘The SpongeBob Move: Search for SquarePants,’ ‘The Bad Guys 2,’ and ‘Zootopia 2’ among the nominees for excellence in production design, covering film / animated film, TV, commercials, and music videos; ceremony set for February 28.

Time Keeps on Slippin Into the Future ANIMATIONWorld

Anime’s Time-Travel Classic: ‘Steins;Gate’

Columnist Andrew Osmond goes back in time to discuss one of the most acclaimed TV anime series, the time warping show about an eclectic group of individuals that can send text messages to the past.

Each Gesture Touched by Human Hand ANIMATIONWorld

‘anyone lived in a pretty how town’: How One Son’s Project Honors 3 Legacies

Daniel Kreizberg’s 2D short, a blend of modernist poetry and impressionistic illustrations, is inspired by E.E. Cummings’ poetry and paintings, narrated by Jane Goodall, and features a soundtrack by the filmmaker’s father, maestro Yakov Kreizberg.

Who Doesn’t Love a Goat Named Arthur? Headline News

Join Filmmakers at ‘Out of the Nest’ January 9 Screening and Pre-Reception

By Dan Sarto | Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 10:48am

Oscar winner and film EP Brandon Oldenburg to moderate Q&A at the AMC 16 in Burbank; Arturo Hernandez directs, and Andrew Gordon co-directs the 3DCG adventure from T&B Media Global, CCTV Animation, and Base FX.

More Aardman on the Horizon Headline News

GKIDS Acquires U.S. Rights to ‘Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom’

The upcoming stop-motion animated comedy from Aardman and STUDIOCANAL marks the feature directorial debut of Steve Cox and Matthew Walker; starring Justin Fletcher, John Sparkes, and Kate Harbour, film slated for theatrical release by Halloween 2026.

Business Headline News

Brown Bag Films Unveils New Leadership Structure, Innovation Lab, Refreshed Brand

Caitlin Friedman promoted to EVP, Global Production & Current; co-founder Cathal Gaffney takes newly created role of Chief Innovation Officer as studio expands its creative scope and prepares for next phase of growth.

AI in VFX VFXWorld

How AI is Rewriting VFX Pipelines

Animated Company founder and CEO Douglas McGinness III examines how AI tools are reshaping traditional visual effects workflows, from concept design and previs through roto, matchmove, and final delivery, while raising critical questions about authorship, copyright, and the preservation of storytelling craft.

It’s Anime-zing! Headline News

Pony Canyon Announces ‘Kaiju Girl Caramelise’ Anime Adaptation

The new series follows Kuroe Akaishi, a high-school girl who discovers her dormant powers when she falls in love with a fellow student; premieres in 2026.

Re-Experience the Adventure Headline News

DreamWorks Animation’s ‘Madagascar’ Heading Back to Theaters

The hit animated comedy, directed by Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath and starring the voices of Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Jada Pinkett-Smith and David Schwimmer, celebrates its 20th anniversary with a nationwide U.S. cinema re-release on January 16.

Honoring Excellence in VFX Headline News

24th Annual VES Awards Special Honorees Announced

By Dan Sarto | Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at 9:02am

Filmmaker Jerry Bruckheimer and Wētā Workshop co-founder Sir Richard Taylor to be honored at February gala ceremony hosted by the Sklar Brothers.

Solidarity! Headline News

DreamWorks Animation, Netflix Workers Vote to Unionize with The Animation Guild

By Dan Sarto | Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at 5:56pm

Remote workers at DWA, feature production workers at Netflix Animation Studios, and production workers on the show ‘Ted’ officially voted for union representation with TAG (IATSE Local 839) and The Editors Guild (IATSE Local 700).

Don’t You Wish… ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘In Your Dreams’ – Learning to Face the Unknown

Alex Woo’s colorful and vibrant animated adventure features a young girl trying to get the Sandman to fix her parents’ fraying marriage, only to conjure up the fearful reality she’s trying to avoid – a broken family; now streaming on Netflix.

Animation in the Big Apple ANIMATIONWorld

Review: ‘New York Animation 1966-1999: A City in Motion’

ASIFA-East president Doug Vitarelli looks at Robby Gilbert’s expansive new book, the ‘definitive’ look at the key animators, studios, projects and happenings that defined the incredibly prolific and influential 3-decade period of NYC’s ever-vibrant animation community.

Rediscovering Shared Humanity Headline News

StoryCorps, NFL Partner for ‘One Small Step’ Animated PSA

The NFL Network will air the new 2D spot, from Richard O’Connor’s Ace & Son Moving Picture Co., through the upcoming NFL Draft; the initiative pairs strangers with opposing beliefs for one-on-one conversations to rediscover their shared humanity.

It’s Anime-zing! Headline News

Netflix Drops ‘Cosmic Princess Kaguya!’ Final Trailer

The music-driven anime feature, which follows a 17-year-old high school student who leads a busy life trying to balance part-time work and academics, streams January 22.

In-Passing Headline News

Con Pederson, Visual Effects and Computer Graphics Pioneer, Dies at 91

By Dan Sarto | Monday, January 5, 2026 at 5:54pm

The trailblazing VFX artist, who co-founded Robert Abel and Associates, helped usher in modern effects with his seminal work on Stanley Kubrick’s ‘2001: A Space Odyssey.’

Year in Review Headline News

Image Engine Shares Look Back at 2025 Project Highlights

Last year, the VFX company’s artists and production teams delivered outstanding work across a wide range of shows, including ‘The Gorge,’ ‘The Old Guard 2,’ ‘Tron: Ares,’ and ‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’ Season 2.

It’s Anime-zing! Headline News

Kitten Illustrator Juno’s ‘mofusand’ Anime Adaptation to Premiere on YouTube

The beloved artist’s series of shorts stars Shark Meow, a fluffy cat in a shark costume; debuts January 7, with Episode 1 now streaming.

Awards Headline News

‘KPop Demon Hunters,’ ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ Win Critics Choice Awards

By Dan Sarto | Monday, January 5, 2026 at 11:54am

The Best Animated Feature and Best Visual Effects winners were joined by ‘South Park’ and ‘Frankenstein’ in the Best Animated Series and Best Production Design categories at the January 4 ceremony.

The Annies are Coming! Headline News

53rd Annual Annie Awards Nominations Announced

By Dan Sarto | Monday, January 5, 2026 at 10:55am

Best Animated Feature nominees ‘Elio,’ ‘Little Amélie or the Character of Rain,’ ‘KPop Demon Hunters,’ ‘The Bad Guys 2,’ and ‘Zootopia 2’ top the expansive list of category nominations; animation’s biggest awards ceremony is scheduled to return live on Saturday, February 21 at UCLA’s Royce Hall

Some Marvel-ous News! Headline News

Marvel Drops ‘Wonder Man’ Trailer #2

By Dan Sarto | Friday, January 2, 2026 at 2:21pm

Streaming January 27 on Disney+, the new series, a satirical, tongue-in-cheek show about a famous superhero movie remake by a famous director, with 2 actors doggedly pursuing roles, stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Sir Ben Kingsley

It’s Got a Dutchman Who Flies! ANIMATIONWorld

Reel FX Talks ‘The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants’

The leading animation studio translated the iconic property’s 2D origins into a fully realized 3DCG feature, exploring character deformation, lightweight rigs, and Houdini-driven workflows, balancing between stylization and realism for a look that still feels unmistakably SpongeBob.

Loneliness Among the Masses Headline News

Jessica Rizk’s ‘Cracked’ Animated Short to Debut at Dances With Films: NY

By Dan Sarto | Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at 12:20pm

The hand-drawn 2D film, which explores a dark journey into a woman's mind amidst her self-neglect during a mundane daily task, will make its North American premiere on January 16.

Pages

Awards Headline News

Art Directors Guild Unveils 30th Annual ADG Award Nominations

By Dan Sarto | Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 5:14pm

‘Elio,’ ‘KPop Demon Hunters,’ ‘The SpongeBob Move: Search for SquarePants,’ ‘The Bad Guys 2,’ and ‘Zootopia 2’ among the nominees for excellence in production design, covering film / animated film, TV, commercials, and music videos; ceremony set for February 28.

Time Keeps on Slippin Into the Future ANIMATIONWorld

Anime’s Time-Travel Classic: ‘Steins;Gate’

Columnist Andrew Osmond goes back in time to discuss one of the most acclaimed TV anime series, the time warping show about an eclectic group of individuals that can send text messages to the past.

Each Gesture Touched by Human Hand ANIMATIONWorld

‘anyone lived in a pretty how town’: How One Son’s Project Honors 3 Legacies

Daniel Kreizberg’s 2D short, a blend of modernist poetry and impressionistic illustrations, is inspired by E.E. Cummings’ poetry and paintings, narrated by Jane Goodall, and features a soundtrack by the filmmaker’s father, maestro Yakov Kreizberg.

Who Doesn’t Love a Goat Named Arthur? Headline News

Join Filmmakers at ‘Out of the Nest’ January 9 Screening and Pre-Reception

By Dan Sarto | Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 10:48am

Oscar winner and film EP Brandon Oldenburg to moderate Q&A at the AMC 16 in Burbank; Arturo Hernandez directs, and Andrew Gordon co-directs the 3DCG adventure from T&B Media Global, CCTV Animation, and Base FX.

More Aardman on the Horizon Headline News

GKIDS Acquires U.S. Rights to ‘Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom’

The upcoming stop-motion animated comedy from Aardman and STUDIOCANAL marks the feature directorial debut of Steve Cox and Matthew Walker; starring Justin Fletcher, John Sparkes, and Kate Harbour, film slated for theatrical release by Halloween 2026.

Business Headline News

Brown Bag Films Unveils New Leadership Structure, Innovation Lab, Refreshed Brand

Caitlin Friedman promoted to EVP, Global Production & Current; co-founder Cathal Gaffney takes newly created role of Chief Innovation Officer as studio expands its creative scope and prepares for next phase of growth.

AI in VFX VFXWorld

How AI is Rewriting VFX Pipelines

Animated Company founder and CEO Douglas McGinness III examines how AI tools are reshaping traditional visual effects workflows, from concept design and previs through roto, matchmove, and final delivery, while raising critical questions about authorship, copyright, and the preservation of storytelling craft.

It’s Anime-zing! Headline News

Pony Canyon Announces ‘Kaiju Girl Caramelise’ Anime Adaptation

The new series follows Kuroe Akaishi, a high-school girl who discovers her dormant powers when she falls in love with a fellow student; premieres in 2026.

Re-Experience the Adventure Headline News

DreamWorks Animation’s ‘Madagascar’ Heading Back to Theaters

The hit animated comedy, directed by Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath and starring the voices of Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Jada Pinkett-Smith and David Schwimmer, celebrates its 20th anniversary with a nationwide U.S. cinema re-release on January 16.

Honoring Excellence in VFX Headline News

24th Annual VES Awards Special Honorees Announced

By Dan Sarto | Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at 9:02am

Filmmaker Jerry Bruckheimer and Wētā Workshop co-founder Sir Richard Taylor to be honored at February gala ceremony hosted by the Sklar Brothers.

Solidarity! Headline News

DreamWorks Animation, Netflix Workers Vote to Unionize with The Animation Guild

By Dan Sarto | Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at 5:56pm

Remote workers at DWA, feature production workers at Netflix Animation Studios, and production workers on the show ‘Ted’ officially voted for union representation with TAG (IATSE Local 839) and The Editors Guild (IATSE Local 700).

Don’t You Wish… ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘In Your Dreams’ – Learning to Face the Unknown

Alex Woo’s colorful and vibrant animated adventure features a young girl trying to get the Sandman to fix her parents’ fraying marriage, only to conjure up the fearful reality she’s trying to avoid – a broken family; now streaming on Netflix.

Animation in the Big Apple ANIMATIONWorld

Review: ‘New York Animation 1966-1999: A City in Motion’

ASIFA-East president Doug Vitarelli looks at Robby Gilbert’s expansive new book, the ‘definitive’ look at the key animators, studios, projects and happenings that defined the incredibly prolific and influential 3-decade period of NYC’s ever-vibrant animation community.

Rediscovering Shared Humanity Headline News

StoryCorps, NFL Partner for ‘One Small Step’ Animated PSA

The NFL Network will air the new 2D spot, from Richard O’Connor’s Ace & Son Moving Picture Co., through the upcoming NFL Draft; the initiative pairs strangers with opposing beliefs for one-on-one conversations to rediscover their shared humanity.

It’s Anime-zing! Headline News

Netflix Drops ‘Cosmic Princess Kaguya!’ Final Trailer

The music-driven anime feature, which follows a 17-year-old high school student who leads a busy life trying to balance part-time work and academics, streams January 22.

In-Passing Headline News

Con Pederson, Visual Effects and Computer Graphics Pioneer, Dies at 91

By Dan Sarto | Monday, January 5, 2026 at 5:54pm

The trailblazing VFX artist, who co-founded Robert Abel and Associates, helped usher in modern effects with his seminal work on Stanley Kubrick’s ‘2001: A Space Odyssey.’

Year in Review Headline News

Image Engine Shares Look Back at 2025 Project Highlights

Last year, the VFX company’s artists and production teams delivered outstanding work across a wide range of shows, including ‘The Gorge,’ ‘The Old Guard 2,’ ‘Tron: Ares,’ and ‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’ Season 2.

It’s Anime-zing! Headline News

Kitten Illustrator Juno’s ‘mofusand’ Anime Adaptation to Premiere on YouTube

The beloved artist’s series of shorts stars Shark Meow, a fluffy cat in a shark costume; debuts January 7, with Episode 1 now streaming.

Awards Headline News

‘KPop Demon Hunters,’ ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ Win Critics Choice Awards

By Dan Sarto | Monday, January 5, 2026 at 11:54am

The Best Animated Feature and Best Visual Effects winners were joined by ‘South Park’ and ‘Frankenstein’ in the Best Animated Series and Best Production Design categories at the January 4 ceremony.

The Annies are Coming! Headline News

53rd Annual Annie Awards Nominations Announced

By Dan Sarto | Monday, January 5, 2026 at 10:55am

Best Animated Feature nominees ‘Elio,’ ‘Little Amélie or the Character of Rain,’ ‘KPop Demon Hunters,’ ‘The Bad Guys 2,’ and ‘Zootopia 2’ top the expansive list of category nominations; animation’s biggest awards ceremony is scheduled to return live on Saturday, February 21 at UCLA’s Royce Hall

Some Marvel-ous News! Headline News

Marvel Drops ‘Wonder Man’ Trailer #2

By Dan Sarto | Friday, January 2, 2026 at 2:21pm

Streaming January 27 on Disney+, the new series, a satirical, tongue-in-cheek show about a famous superhero movie remake by a famous director, with 2 actors doggedly pursuing roles, stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Sir Ben Kingsley

It’s Got a Dutchman Who Flies! ANIMATIONWorld

Reel FX Talks ‘The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants’

The leading animation studio translated the iconic property’s 2D origins into a fully realized 3DCG feature, exploring character deformation, lightweight rigs, and Houdini-driven workflows, balancing between stylization and realism for a look that still feels unmistakably SpongeBob.

Loneliness Among the Masses Headline News

Jessica Rizk’s ‘Cracked’ Animated Short to Debut at Dances With Films: NY

By Dan Sarto | Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at 12:20pm

The hand-drawn 2D film, which explores a dark journey into a woman's mind amidst her self-neglect during a mundane daily task, will make its North American premiere on January 16.

Pages