The newest Acrobat edition of Animation World Magazine is now online and ready for you to download. For June, the mag put its focus on independent animation. Kicking off a three-part series, Joe Strike spoke with famed animation historian and filmmaker John Canemaker about his early career and how he got into animation. Marisa Materna peers into a reporter’s crystal ball to see if the future of animation lies in independent studios. Joe Strike also surveys the animation landscape in New York City to see how independent artists are building business in the Big Apple. Janet Hetherington checks in with independent animators across Canada to find out what’s hot and what’s not on the Canadian animation scene.

In addition, Joe Strike reports back from the New York premiere of HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE. As for columns, Dr. Toon investigates the gender role cultural values that children and tween animation present to the world of young spenders. The Animation Pimp travels to a galaxy far, far away and gives us his thoughts. In part four of the “Make It Real” series, Ellen Besen looks beyond animation technique to explore the other elements that go into creating real performance. The Career Coach gives some sage advice from her father’s mouth. For excerpts, we have another chapter from 3D FOR BEGINNERS.

In reviews, Tom Sito was asked to judge the Japan Digital Animation Festival in Nagoya. He writes back about the event, the films and the experience. Taylor Jessen reviews another five films in “Fresh from the Festivals.” Libby Reed cracks open Mark Simon’s new book FACIAL EXPRESSIONS, A VISUAL REFERENCE FOR ARTISTS.

Download the magazine now!