The latest articles, news, blog posts, galleries, and events from Animation World Network. https://www.awn.com/ en-US 15 Tue, 24 Feb 2026 16:13:32 -0800 Tue, 24 Feb 2026 16:16:53 -0800 https://www.awn.com/news/autodesk-shares-making-zootopia-2-featurette New behind-the-scenes video examines how Walt Disney Animation Studios used Maya and Flow Production Tracking across more than 2,000 shots to build expansive environments and manage large-scale production on the Oscar-nominated, BAFTA Award-winning animated comedy adventure. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/autodesk-shares-making-zootopia-2-featurette Tue, 24 Feb 2026 16:13:32 PST Animation World Network https://www.awn.com/news/apple-tv-drops-all-mankind-season-5-trailer The 10-episode outing of the sci-fi space series continues its alt-history story in a new decade on Mars… and the locals are not happy; premieres March 27. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/apple-tv-drops-all-mankind-season-5-trailer Tue, 24 Feb 2026 14:13:33 PST Animation World Network https://www.awn.com/news/one-piece-season-2-debut-select-theaters Timed to its streaming premiere, the first two episodes of the hit Netflix show’s new season are sailing into 200 cinemas across the U.S., Canada, and Japan on March 10. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/one-piece-season-2-debut-select-theaters Tue, 24 Feb 2026 13:38:30 PST Animation World Network https://www.awn.com/news/jim-broadbent-joins-wingfeather-saga-season-4-cast The Oscar-winning actor to voice the character of Bonifer Squoon alongside the returning cast that includes Jodi Benson and Kevin McNally, as the animated series prepares to premiere its fourth season on Angel later this year. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/jim-broadbent-joins-wingfeather-saga-season-4-cast Tue, 24 Feb 2026 12:32:02 PST Animation World Network https://www.awn.com/news/cookbook-media-david-marshall-and-todd-gallina-launch-force-5 Animation veterans partner with the global agency on content distribution and consumer products representation for new CG animated sci-fi action-comedy series aimed at kids 7–12. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/cookbook-media-david-marshall-and-todd-gallina-launch-force-5 Tue, 24 Feb 2026 10:41:44 PST Animation World Network https://www.awn.com/news/production-begins-saddle-club-cg-animated-series Work has begun in France and Italy on the Frog Box and Red Monk production, commissioned by France Télévisions, Rai and ZDF, of the 26-episode adaptation of Bonnie Bryant’s best-selling literary franchise, with delivery scheduled for mid-2027. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/production-begins-saddle-club-cg-animated-series Tue, 24 Feb 2026 9:55:46 PST Animation World Network https://www.awn.com/news/rob-david-promoted-senior-vice-president-animation-mattel-studios The new SVP will oversee development, creative and production for adult and kids animated television series and digital content, reporting to President and Chief Content Officer Robbie Brenner. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/rob-david-promoted-senior-vice-president-animation-mattel-studios Mon, 23 Feb 2026 17:17:53 PST Animation World Network https://www.awn.com/vfxworld/routine-relentless-craziness-james-cameron Half measures are never an option for the prolific filmmaker, who shares insights into his expansive work on ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash,’ including the Ash Clan’s origins, Wind Traders mythology, Spider’s expanded arc, and collaboration between Wētā FX and ILM on 3,500 VFX shots for his second epic ‘Avatar’ sequel, which won a BAFTA yesterday and is nominated for multiple VES Awards and two Oscars. Trevor Hogg https://www.awn.com/vfxworld/routine-relentless-craziness-james-cameron Mon, 23 Feb 2026 16:10:59 PST Animation World Network https://www.awn.com/news/jfx-appoints-ingo-putze-and-jenn-epstein-senior-creative-team UK boutique VFX studio names Putze VFX Supervisor and Epstein Associate VFX Supervisor as it continues to expands following its 2025 launch. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/jfx-appoints-ingo-putze-and-jenn-epstein-senior-creative-team Mon, 23 Feb 2026 14:27:03 PST Animation World Network https://www.awn.com/news/call-entries-30th-edition-cartoons-bay Submissions are now being accepted for the Pulcinella Awards 2026 being awarded at the International Festival of Animation and Transmedia that takes place in Pescara, Italy May 27-30. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/call-entries-30th-edition-cartoons-bay Mon, 23 Feb 2026 12:49:13 PST Animation World Network https://www.awn.com/news/disney-reveals-beddybyes-and-magicampers-theme-songs-key-art Both prequel preschool animation series are set to premiere this March on Disney+ and Disney Jr. in the U.S., and will roll out globally throughout the year.  L'Wren Alexa https://www.awn.com/news/disney-reveals-beddybyes-and-magicampers-theme-songs-key-art Mon, 23 Feb 2026 11:26:52 PST Animation World Network https://www.awn.com/news/bria-expands-integration-toon-boom-named-hpa-awards-finalist The visual generative AI platform announced its latest availability across major creative tools, including the leading 2D animation software platform. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/bria-expands-integration-toon-boom-named-hpa-awards-finalist Mon, 23 Feb 2026 10:45:31 PST Animation World Network https://www.awn.com/news/apple-tv-unveils-first-look-wonder-pets-city-season-2 Produced by Nickelodeon Animation, the preschool series developed by Emmy Award winner Jennifer Oxley returns with new musical mini-opera-themed adventures on March 20. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/apple-tv-unveils-first-look-wonder-pets-city-season-2 Mon, 23 Feb 2026 9:51:02 PST Animation World Network https://www.awn.com/news/zootopia-2-avatar-fire-and-ash-take-home-bafta-wins Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Frankenstein’ also nabs awards at yesterday’s 2026 EE British Academy Film Awards gala, along with ‘Boong’ and ‘Two Black Boys in Paradise.’ Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/zootopia-2-avatar-fire-and-ash-take-home-bafta-wins Mon, 23 Feb 2026 7:45:05 PST Animation World Network https://www.awn.com/news/kpop-demon-hunters-dominates-53rd-annual-annie-awards Maggie Kang, Chris Appelhans and Netflix’s blockbuster feature took home 10 wins, including Best Feature, while ‘Arco’ won for Best Independent Feature; ‘Common Side Effects’ led all TV shows with 4 wins, followed closely by ‘Win or Lose’ and ‘Love, Death + Robots’ with 3 each, at the animation industry’s gala event held last night at Royce Hall in Los Angeles. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/kpop-demon-hunters-dominates-53rd-annual-annie-awards Sun, 22 Feb 2026 6:55:33 PST Animation World Network https://www.awn.com/news/sony-developing-animated-venom-feature Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein, the duo behind 2025’s ‘Final Destination: Bloodlines,’ reportedly are attached to direct the film featuring Marvel’s popular anti-hero. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/sony-developing-animated-venom-feature Fri, 20 Feb 2026 17:17:13 PST Animation World Network https://www.awn.com/news/netflix-acquires-i-am-frankelda-mexicos-first-stop-motion-feature Streamer picks up Arturo and Roy Ambriz’s Annie Award-nominated film about an ignored 19th-century writer who must confront the monsters she created in her subconscious to restore the balance between fiction and reality; global 2026 release set. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/netflix-acquires-i-am-frankelda-mexicos-first-stop-motion-feature Fri, 20 Feb 2026 16:25:34 PST Animation World Network 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 Animation World Network https://www.awn.com/animationworld/watching-shiboyugi-champignon-witch-and-holy-grail-eris Columnist Andrew Osmond assesses a trio of current TV anime; they’re all interesting… but are they good? Andrew Osmond https://www.awn.com/animationworld/watching-shiboyugi-champignon-witch-and-holy-grail-eris Fri, 20 Feb 2026 12:26:21 PST Animation World Network https://www.awn.com/news/netflix-announces-adult-animated-comedy-dang The 2D animated series from Andrew Law, Matt Murray and Mike Schur follows a brother and sister whose messy NYC lives are interrupted when their high-achieving older sister shows up; Stephanie Hsu, Poppy Liu and Law star. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/netflix-announces-adult-animated-comedy-dang Fri, 20 Feb 2026 10:44:38 PST Animation World Network https://www.awn.com/news/adult-swim-smalls-meeble-creeble-series-debuts-today-youtube From animator Christina Fidler, the 3-part series follows 2 co-dependent 20-somethings as they desperately look outward towards the spirits and stars for validation. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/adult-swim-smalls-meeble-creeble-series-debuts-today-youtube Fri, 20 Feb 2026 9:27:09 PST Animation World Network https://www.awn.com/animationworld/awns-2026-annie-awards-roundup-top-contenders-film-and-tv Dig into the roster of animated feature films, TV shows, and shorts vying for wins in 37 different categories on February 21 at ASIFA-Hollywood’s 53rd annual ceremony recognizing the best in animation from the past year. Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/animationworld/awns-2026-annie-awards-roundup-top-contenders-film-and-tv Fri, 20 Feb 2026 7:09:15 PST Animation World Network https://www.awn.com/blog/cinanima-49th-international-animated-film-festival-7-16-november-2025-espinho-portugal The theme of the 49th edition of Cinanima, Memory: The Future of the Past, is particularly apropos as the festival looks forward to its 50th anniversary in 2026. It posed the question, what is the future that the past anticipates, and what questions does it raise? Nancy Denney-Phelps https://www.awn.com/blog/cinanima-49th-international-animated-film-festival-7-16-november-2025-espinho-portugal Fri, 20 Feb 2026 3:55:07 PST Animation World Network https://www.awn.com/news/clear-angle-studios-acquires-di4d-technology-launches-topotrack-service The leading 3D and 4D capture company has integrated DI4D’s facial imaging technology, introducing TopoTrack across its global infrastructure and appointing Dr. Colin Urquhart as Strategic Advisor. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/clear-angle-studios-acquires-di4d-technology-launches-topotrack-service Thu, 19 Feb 2026 17:36:15 PST Animation World Network 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 Animation World Network https://www.awn.com/animationworld/not-just-goof-story-fathers-fandom-and-free-spirited-creativity Directors Christopher Ninness and Eric Kimelton’s Annie Award-nominated documentary about 1995’s underrated ‘A Goofy Movie’ weaves interviews, new hand-drawn animation, and a very personal storyline into a compelling look at how an animated film can help bring people with seemingly insurmountable differences together.   Victoria Davis https://www.awn.com/animationworld/not-just-goof-story-fathers-fandom-and-free-spirited-creativity Thu, 19 Feb 2026 13:55:07 PST Animation World Network https://www.awn.com/news/pixar-drops-toy-story-5-trailer Extinction… not again! The toys are back in town, but this time, they face a ‘technological threat’ in Lilypad, a frog-shaped smart tablet with disruptive ideas about what’s best for their kid, Bonnie; newfangled gadgets go head-to-head with Buzz, Woody, Jessie and the rest of the gang, making their jobs that much harder; in theaters June 19. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/pixar-drops-toy-story-5-trailer Thu, 19 Feb 2026 11:17:28 PST Animation World Network https://www.awn.com/news/longtime-animator-and-producer-jane-baer-dies-91 The Baer Animation studio founder whose more than 50 years of work spanned numerous well-known animated shows, commercials, and projects, including the Toontown scenes in ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit,’ passed away on February 16. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/longtime-animator-and-producer-jane-baer-dies-91 Thu, 19 Feb 2026 10:12:50 PST Animation World Network https://www.awn.com/news/roarball-roundup-exclusive-interview-vineland-thorns All-new 8-minute ‘Roarball Roundup’ featurette debuts alongside the free, 4-lesson emotional resilience program designed to help students build confidence and navigate emotions, inspired by the hit animated feature. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/roarball-roundup-exclusive-interview-vineland-thorns Thu, 19 Feb 2026 9:08:50 PST Animation World Network https://www.awn.com/news/15-scientific-technical-achievements-be-honored-academy-sci-tech-awards Ceremony, scheduled for April 28 at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, celebrates individuals and companies whose discoveries and innovations have contributed in significant and lasting ways to the motion picture industry. Dan Sarto https://www.awn.com/news/15-scientific-technical-achievements-be-honored-academy-sci-tech-awards Wed, 18 Feb 2026 15:14:50 PST Animation World Network