The latest interviews from Animation World Network https://www.awn.com/ en-US 15 Fri, 20 Feb 2026 15:14:39 -0800 Fri, 20 Feb 2026 15:19:03 -0800 https://www.awn.com/animationworld/improbable-return-fox-matt-weitzman-talks-american-dad The show’s co-creator and co-showrunner reflects on 20 years of producing the Seth MacFarlane animated comedy, the previous 10 at TBS before the seemingly miraculous 4-season renewal that brought the prodigal son back to its Animation Domination home; Season 20 debuts this Sunday, February 22. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/animationworld/improbable-return-fox-matt-weitzman-talks-american-dad Fri, 20 Feb 2026 15:14:39 PST Interviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/mamoru-hosoda-talks-scarlet-wolf-children-and-beauty-growing The director of popular anime films ‘Belle,’ ‘Mirai,’ and ‘The Girl Who Leapt Through Time’ discusses his darkest and most violent film yet - nominated for 3 Annie Awards - set in the world of the dead, about a girl set on revenge who learns she still has more to live for. Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/animationworld/mamoru-hosoda-talks-scarlet-wolf-children-and-beauty-growing Thu, 19 Feb 2026 16:49:21 PST Interviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/showrunner-matt-selman-talks-simpsons-milestone-800th-episode The executive producer explains his constant feelings of imposter syndrome and drive to ‘not blow it’ as he leads the iconic show, fresh off a 4-season renewal and announced 2027 feature film, towards new creative spaces even after almost 4 decades on the air. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/animationworld/showrunner-matt-selman-talks-simpsons-milestone-800th-episode Fri, 13 Feb 2026 14:09:02 PST Interviews https://www.awn.com/vfxworld/w-t-fxs-dan-barrett-and-eric-saindon-talk-avatar-fire-and-ash The Oscar and BAFTA-winning Senior Animation Supervisor and Senior VFX Supervisor discuss their team’s groundbreaking animation and visual effects work, including the challenging Tsyong and Medusoid creatures, on the latest record-shattering ‘Avatar’ sequel, now in theaters. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/vfxworld/w-t-fxs-dan-barrett-and-eric-saindon-talk-avatar-fire-and-ash Tue, 03 Feb 2026 15:36:20 PST Interviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/creators-talk-yo-gabba-gabbaland-season-2-and-gabba-magic-filled-memories Long-time friends Scott Schultz and Christian Jacobs share the joy, fun, and excitement – and some nostalgic reflection - surrounding their Emmy-nominated kids’ show revival that includes new animation they say will ‘rock your world!’ Returns today on Apple TV. Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/animationworld/creators-talk-yo-gabba-gabbaland-season-2-and-gabba-magic-filled-memories Fri, 30 Jan 2026 7:29:36 PST Interviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/butterfly-filmmakers-homage-her-father-and-his-olympic-idol Painter and animator Florence Miailhe’s hauntingly beautiful hand-painted short was inspired by her dad Jean’s fellow resistance fighter, Jewish French swimmer Alfred Nakache, who competed in the 1936 Berlin Olympics and 1948 London Olympics after surviving imprisonment in Auschwitz, where his wife and daughter were murdered. Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/animationworld/butterfly-filmmakers-homage-her-father-and-his-olympic-idol Fri, 09 Jan 2026 15:07:18 PST Interviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/breaking-down-wondlas-challenging-and-heartbreaking-series-finale Supervising director Andrew L. Schmidt and Carlos Baena, director of the last 2 episodes, talk about the third and final season’s epic climax - a sweeping, emotional battle for the future of Orbona as Eva 9 tries to bridge 2 divided worlds and prove the ultimate truth; now on Apple TV. Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/animationworld/breaking-down-wondlas-challenging-and-heartbreaking-series-finale Tue, 30 Dec 2025 12:46:54 PST Interviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/scott-kreamer-gets-nostalgic-talking-jurassic-world-chaos-theorys-final-season For the show’s longtime executive producer, the last 9 episodes of DreamWorks’ hit 3DCG series brings the story of ‘The Nublar Six’ to a satisfying – and action-packed - conclusion; debuts November 20 on Netflix. Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/animationworld/scott-kreamer-gets-nostalgic-talking-jurassic-world-chaos-theorys-final-season Thu, 20 Nov 2025 13:57:58 PST Interviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/creating-grounded-fantasy-world-your-dreams For director Alex Woo, production designer Steve Pilcher, and VFX supervisor Nicola Lavender, anchoring their animated film with an emotional story about a child trying to keep their family from breaking apart gave its dream world both meaningful and believable stakes; now streaming on Netflix. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/animationworld/creating-grounded-fantasy-world-your-dreams Mon, 17 Nov 2025 17:37:28 PST Interviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/takeshi-koike-talks-lupin-third Anime columnist Andrew Osmond interviews the director about his 13 years spent working on the famous franchise based on the manga by Monkey Punch; 'Lupin the IIIrd: The Immortal Bloodline' opens in the UK and Ireland on Saturday, February 21st. Andrew Osmond https://www.awn.com/animationworld/takeshi-koike-talks-lupin-third Thu, 06 Nov 2025 17:20:02 PST Interviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/mike-mcmahan-and-josh-bycel-reflect-solar-opposites-final-season The showrunners and co-creators discuss how, for now, they’ve concluded their hilarious Hulu animated comedy, wrapping up key arcs, keeping others hanging, and always pushing for what great adult animation can deliver for audiences. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/animationworld/mike-mcmahan-and-josh-bycel-reflect-solar-opposites-final-season Tue, 21 Oct 2025 17:05:03 PDT Interviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/exclusive-beefy-frank-antipasto-heart-and-horror Creators Mike Carlo and Jason Alvino, and EP Christy Karacas, veterans of shows like ‘Superjail!,’ ‘King Star King’ and ‘Ballmastrz: 9009’ talk about their new animated comedy featuring a low-level mobster accidentally mutated into a disembodied head with telekinetic powers, and his life and family struggles after getting released from jail. Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/animationworld/exclusive-beefy-frank-antipasto-heart-and-horror Thu, 16 Oct 2025 8:37:44 PDT Interviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/script-first-chaos-later-how-futurama-captures-comedic-mayhem Billy West, Lauren Tom, and Phil LaMarr unpack Season 13’s mix of sharp scripts, group records, and character beats - from a crankier Farnsworth to Amy and Kif’s parenting - while explaining why honoring the writers’ words matters more than ad-libbing; now on FXX and Hulu. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/animationworld/script-first-chaos-later-how-futurama-captures-comedic-mayhem Mon, 06 Oct 2025 15:55:43 PDT Interviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/sarah-mullervy-talks-glamsters-and-jungle-struggles-superkitties-season-3 With a Children’s and Family Emmy Award and Season 4 renewal in hand, the hit preschool animation series that follows four fierce and furry superhero kitties on a mission to make their hometown a more ‘pawesome’ place launches its new season today, October 1, on Disney+. Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/animationworld/sarah-mullervy-talks-glamsters-and-jungle-struggles-superkitties-season-3 Wed, 01 Oct 2025 15:15:46 PDT Interviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/it-all-started-funny-bird-name-reflections-25-years-titmouse For co-founders Chris and Shannon Prynoski, what began as a side-gig selling t-shirts eventually became an award-winning animation production powerhouse with studios in Burbank, Hollywood, NY and Vancouver and a legion of adoring, passionate, and often slightly bent fans. Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/animationworld/it-all-started-funny-bird-name-reflections-25-years-titmouse Tue, 30 Sep 2025 13:30:00 PDT Interviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/cyborgs-war-dramas-and-evangelions-career-anime Columnist Andrew Osmond interviews Yoshiki Sakurai about his journey from a British high school to writing for such landmark anime as ‘Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex,’ ‘Giovanni’s Island,’ and ‘Evangelion.’ Andrew Osmond https://www.awn.com/animationworld/cyborgs-war-dramas-and-evangelions-career-anime Thu, 11 Sep 2025 12:46:23 PDT Interviews https://www.awn.com/vfxworld/minecraft-movie-w-t-fx-helps-adapt-iconic-game-one-block-time VFX Supervisor Sheldon Stopsack and Animation Supervisor Kevin Estey discuss the studio’s extensive world building and character design / animation work on Jared Hess’ hit comedy adventure, delivering 450 visual effects shots that wove together the game’s block-based aesthetic with live-action photography; work included villain Malgosha, The Overworld, The Nether, 12 different Piglin variants, zombies, skeletons, and loveable wolf Dennis. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/vfxworld/minecraft-movie-w-t-fx-helps-adapt-iconic-game-one-block-time Thu, 29 May 2025 12:18:33 PDT Interviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/conversation-luigi-loy-journey-flow-festivals-oscar-glory Learn about how Sacrebleu, a leading independent production / distribution company, relies on festivals for generating exposure and market awareness for short and feature films, taken from an interview by Chris Donahue, film and TV professor at SCAD and Academy Award and Emmy Award-winning producer, during a Master Class at the recent SCAD Animation Festival in Lacoste, France. Chris Donahue https://www.awn.com/animationworld/conversation-luigi-loy-journey-flow-festivals-oscar-glory Wed, 21 May 2025 13:03:46 PDT Interviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/family-guy-rich-appel-and-alec-sulkin-talk-longevity-collaboration-and-doing-it-hand In this candid conversation, the series’ EPs and showrunners discuss the show's enduring success, their long-running creative partnership, and how production has evolved while staying true to its roots. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/animationworld/family-guy-rich-appel-and-alec-sulkin-talk-longevity-collaboration-and-doing-it-hand Tue, 22 Apr 2025 16:56:59 PDT Interviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/scott-kreamer-talks-morally-grey-areas-and-italian-grandmas-chaos-theory-season-3 The DreamWorks Animation series showrunner and EP discusses the new season’s multi-layered character arcs, which include Kenji’s unraveling as he deals with the grief of Brooklynn’s rejection, and her growing inner turmoil as she’s drawn deeper into a web of criminal dinosaur trafficking; debuts April 3 on Netflix. Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/animationworld/scott-kreamer-talks-morally-grey-areas-and-italian-grandmas-chaos-theory-season-3 Wed, 02 Apr 2025 14:06:27 PDT Interviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/dark-comic-world-steve-helys-and-joe-bennetts-common-side-effects The creators of Adult Swim’s all-new comedy/thriller discuss their deep dive into the mysterious and surreal world of a newly discovered healing mushroom, big pharma, wellness culture, and their disruptive effects on society. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/animationworld/dark-comic-world-steve-helys-and-joe-bennetts-common-side-effects Tue, 04 Feb 2025 14:14:28 PST Interviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/bringing-dog-man-life-conversation-peter-hastings-and-karen-foster The director and producer discuss DreamWorks’ latest cinematic gem, adapted from NYT bestselling author Dav Pilkey’s kids’ book series about a dog who becomes much more than a police officer’s ‘best friend’ after they are both hurt on the job and fused together in a harebrained but live-saving surgery; hits theaters January 31. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/animationworld/bringing-dog-man-life-conversation-peter-hastings-and-karen-foster Wed, 29 Jan 2025 15:38:02 PST Interviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/unveiling-arcane-conversation-pascal-charrue-and-alexis-wanneroy The co-executive producer/director and co-supervisor of animation discuss the challenges, inspirations, and innovative techniques that pushed visual and storytelling boundaries and helped shape Netflix’s award-winning series’ second and final season. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/animationworld/unveiling-arcane-conversation-pascal-charrue-and-alexis-wanneroy Tue, 21 Jan 2025 13:59:14 PST Interviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/kensukes-kingdom-weaving-captivating-music-hand-drawn-visual-feast Composer Stuart Hancock discusses how he created the evocative soundtrack that so beautifully meshed with Neil Boyle and Kirk Hendry’s poignant 2D animated adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s novel, spotlighting the power of connection and the beauty of nature; releases November 26 on VOD. Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/animationworld/kensukes-kingdom-weaving-captivating-music-hand-drawn-visual-feast Tue, 26 Nov 2024 11:58:55 PST Interviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/al-jean-talks-simpsons-short-most-wonderful-time-year The iconic show’s long-time executive producer and showrunner shares his thoughts on his team’s latest short film - featuring Sideshow Bob, famous Disney+ villains, and so-called Halloween spirit - as well as his love of the format, and the important role shorts play in the franchise’s universe since the move to Disney. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/animationworld/al-jean-talks-simpsons-short-most-wonderful-time-year Wed, 20 Nov 2024 15:24:52 PST Interviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/christopher-batty-talks-cinematography-transformers-one From the innovative use of mocap for fast prototyping with virtual story reels to choosing the right cameras to ensure a proper sense of scale on massive sets and environments, the cinematographer discusses how he handled layout and composition on Josh Cooley and Paramount’s 3DCG origin story of how two best friends became the sworn enemies Optimus Prime and Megatron. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/animationworld/christopher-batty-talks-cinematography-transformers-one Thu, 14 Nov 2024 12:36:01 PST Interviews https://www.awn.com/vfxworld/getting-it-right-carefully-calibrated-vfx-makes-boys-boys As Visual Effects Supervisor Stephan Fleet makes clear, there’s more to the visual stylings of the acclaimed Prime Video series than exploding heads and flesh-eating flying sheep. Jon Hofferman https://www.awn.com/vfxworld/getting-it-right-carefully-calibrated-vfx-makes-boys-boys Thu, 31 Oct 2024 12:14:28 PDT Interviews https://www.awn.com/vfxworld/building-world-percy-jackson-and-olympians From the Minotaur and the Chimera to the Underworld and the pit of Tartarus, Senior VFX Supervisor Erik Henry talks about what it took to create the mythological universe for the hit Disney+ series, now streaming. Jon Hofferman https://www.awn.com/vfxworld/building-world-percy-jackson-and-olympians Mon, 28 Oct 2024 15:17:17 PDT Interviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/piece-piece-resets-expectations-what-lego-movies-can-be Director Morgan Neville and animation director Howard E. Baker discuss how they blended LEGO animation and documentary filmmaking techniques to visualize Pharrell Williams’ unique musical journey, offering a fresh take on how animated biopics can capture the emotional depth of their subjects. Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/animationworld/piece-piece-resets-expectations-what-lego-movies-can-be Tue, 22 Oct 2024 14:50:01 PDT Interviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/mighty-monsterwheelies-universals-monster-truck-heroes-preschoolers Creator Kyel White and EP Stephanie Simpson talk about their new animated adventure-comedy series from DreamWorks Animation, which turns some of Universal Pictures’ most well-known cinematic ‘monsters’ into heroic rescue vehicles; show debuts October 14 on Netflix. Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/animationworld/mighty-monsterwheelies-universals-monster-truck-heroes-preschoolers Mon, 14 Oct 2024 11:06:35 PDT Interviews