AWN managing editor Rick DeMott surveyed a wide array of international professionals and asked them their opinions on why they attend MIFA.

Andrew Osmond struggles from the crowds to report on Bristol's fourth Animated Encounters festival, with guest appearances from Ray Harryhausen and Bob Godfrey.

If you think the Internet is dead space then read Chris Harz' profile of Blitz Digital Studios and find out how this company is still making money working on the Net.

Fats Waller once said that, and another blues man sang, It Must Be Jelly, ’Cause Jam Don’t Shake Like That! There really was a man named Jam — Jam Handy — and he ran a 500-person studio in the then gloomy city of Detroit. It was an amazing adventure working there, in that most amazing, little-known but heavyweight studio. I directed my first film there, nearly had my tender career nipped, and discovered John Lee Hooker. 1949-51.

Rick DeMott talks to the invincible Stan Lee as he bounds out of the ashes of his old company to take on new cinematic adventures with his new studio.

VFXWorld’s Bill Desowitz journeys into Sinbad, which represents a culmination of DreamWorks' fascination with water, building on techniques used in most of its previous animated features.

Read about the second leg of creator Dave Warren's fear and loathing journey from struggling independent to working with Carmen Electra.

Travel along with Production I.G.’s Justin Leach to get his personal impression of Cartoons on the Bay’s artistic and geographical beauty.

In the first of a two-part interview, Joe Strike reveals how Fred Seibert came to revive television animation in the 1990s, helping Hanna-Barbera and Nickelodeon give birth to a slew of original hits.

Kelly Neall finds the Tough Eye Animation Festival in Turku, Finland excels at bringing old and new animation together in a great setting and well worth a visit.

Peter Saunders reviews what he calls a long overdue book on how to make stop-motion armatures.

Class is in, and the Pimp is teaching Animation 101 to students and schools that churn out cloned work.

Iain Harvey reports on Europe's 2003 Cartoon Movie, covering the hot properties and how the event has progressed in five years to support European animated film producers.

There is no doubt that dragging oneself inside, away from the beautiful Amalfi Coast is hard to do… but international visitors at Cartoons on the Bay can find great rewards and fun at its conferences.

Mark Simon continues his series of 12 excerpts from his new book Producing Independent 2D Character Animation: Making and Selling a Short Film.

Don Duga reports on the ASIFA East Awards with his sketchbook art, not with words.

Chris Robinson interviews indie animator Debra Solomon, the creator of the animated Lizzie McGuire persona, about finding a way to do what you want and make money doing it.

In this final installment of articles exploring animation as commercial entertainment and as an art form, Jean Detheux heralds a group of animators who listened to their own music and delivered it up on the animated screen.

Bulgarian animation has established a cultural tradition that started more than 50 years ago. Maria Janeva gives us a historic look at the country’s triumphs and unique approach.

Jon Hofferman reviews five short films fresh from the festival circuit: Aunt Luisa by Tim Miller and Paul Taylor, Capoeira by Lewis Campbell, From Darkness directed by Nora Twomey, Harvie Krumpet by Adam Elliot and Little Red Plane directed by Joey Jones and Wira Winata. Includes QuickTime movie clips!