Reviews

Sorry we’re late – publisher lameness to blame – AWN’s monthly animated shorts survey includes ‘Cash In, Cash Out,’ ‘Dog Apartment,’ ‘Luce and the Rock...

Angus MacLane and Pixar’s nostalgic space adventure celebrates the best of sci-fi cinema while also smartly embracing contemporary issues including...

Angus MacLane and Pixar’s nostalgic space adventure celebrates the best of sci-fi cinema while also smartly embracing contemporary issues including representation.

Animated Shorts of the Month ANIMATIONWorld

The Animation Pimp Presents - Binocular Briefs October 2022

Sorry we’re late – publisher lameness to blame – AWN’s monthly animated shorts survey includes ‘Cash In, Cash Out,’ ‘Dog Apartment,’ ‘Luce and the Rock,’ ‘Safe Mode: Lana Among the Lilies,’ and ‘Scale.’

In 2D, 3D, CG, Digital Media, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld | Columns: The Animation Pimp | Geographic Region: All

He’s Not Just a Toy ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘Lightyear’ – A Metatextual Odyssey

Angus MacLane and Pixar’s nostalgic space adventure celebrates the best of sci-fi cinema while also smartly embracing contemporary issues including representation.

In 3D, CG, Films, People, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Special Events: VIEW Conference | Geographic Region: All

Consume Responsibly ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘Love, Death + Robots’ – A Visceral Pleasure

Netflix’s animated short anthology uses every trick in the book – from disturbing grotesquery to quirky humor – to explore humanity’s overriding fear of death, ultimately shining an enriching light on our daily existence and what it means to be human.

In 2D, 3D, CG, Digital Media, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Special Events: VIEW Conference | Geographic Region: All

Books ANIMATIONWorld

‘Behind the Eyes the World’: An Evocative Group Portrait of Animation Filmmakers

Timo Viljakainen’s book of photographs is a testament to the inner world of the artist and a celebration of the international animation community.

In Art, Books, People | ANIMATIONWorld | Geographic Region: All

Dorky Tweens Rule! ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘Turning Red’ - Embracing the Animal Spirit Within Us

Transformation lies at the heart of Pixar’s latest hit film, a coming-of-age story about a young Chinese girl in Toronto who must break away from all she has known to either accept, or reject, the actual beast inside her.

In 3D, CG, Digital Media, Films, People, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Geographic Region: All

Re-Forging the Bonds that Connect Us ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘Encanto’ - Seeking Beauty in Truth

Experiencing life as the underdog - an outsider - teaches us empathy and a greater understanding of ourselves, our loved ones, and the critical connections that bind us together.

In 3D, Books, CG, Digital Media, Films, Music and Sound, People | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Geographic Region: All

9 Visionary Chapters are Here! ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘Maya and the Three’ – A Rebel Fire Burning Bright

Employing a delicate balance between foreshadowing and surprise twists, director Jorge R. Gutierrez achieves a sweet clarity of storytelling in his nine-chapter series about a Mesoamerican-inspired warrior princess on an epic quest to fulfill an ancient prophecy and save humanity from the vengeful gods of the underworld.

In 3D, CG, Digital Media, People, Television, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Geographic Region: All

A Celebration of Life and Love ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘Vivo’ – the Magic of the Mambo

Fueled by a cascade of original Lin-Manuel Miranda songs, Sony Pictures Animation and Netflix’s animated musical adventure is a celebration of life and love powered by energetic music and dance.

In 2D, 3D, CG, Digital Media, Films, Music and Sound, People, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Special Events: VIEW Conference | Geographic Region: All

Can You Remember the 60s? Blogs

‘Cryptozoo’ Review: Bakus & Gorgons & Satyrs – Oh My!

AWN’s Miscweant examines Dash Shaw’s new animated feature film, set in ‘surreal’ 1967, about an activist group trying to protect supernatural cryptids from amoral government agents.

In 2D, Films, People, Reviews | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: The Miscweant | Geographic Region: All

Fun in the Italian Sun! ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: The Fabulous Journey of ‘Luca’

Enrico Casarosa’s heartwarming story of a shy young sea monster, whose insatiable curiosity helps him discover the magic in the everyday, is as complex as the ocean is deep.

In 3D, Art, CG, Digital Media, Films, Music and Sound, People, Reviews | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Geographic Region: All

Sorely Needed Career Advice ANIMATIONWorld

‘Your Career in Animation: How to Survive and Thrive’ Now Available

Veteran animation director and author David B. Levy discusses his newly updated book that’s a must-have for anyone hoping to plan, launch, or refocus their animation career.

In Books, Business, Digital Media, Diversity and Inclusion, Education and Training, Films, Jobs & Recruiting, People, Short Films, Television | ANIMATIONWorld | Geographic Region: All

The Healing Power of Hope ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘If Anything Happens I Love You’

Two parents’ sudden, heartbreaking loss becomes ours in Michael Govier and Will McCormack’s animated short that ultimately fulfills us with the healing power of hope.

In 2D, CG, Digital Media, Event, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Special Events: VIEW Conference | Geographic Region: All

Reviews ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: ‘Soul’ and the Cinematic Empathy Machine

Directors Pete Docter and Kemp Powers invite audiences to ponder their own life choices, forging a link between storyteller and spectator that reaffirms the emotional power of cinema.

In 3D, CG, Digital Media, Films, People, Reviews | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Special Events: VIEW Conference | Geographic Region: All

Running with the Pack! ANIMATIONWorld

Re-VIEW: Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart’s ‘Wolfwalkers’

This beautifully designed film, a story of conflict between civilization and nature, stands in defiance of individualism, reminding us that despite our own strength and resolve, we still need the energy and healing power of the community.

In 2D, 3D, Awards, CG, Digital Media, Event, Films, People, Reviews | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Special Events: Academy Awards, Annie Awards, VIEW Conference | Geographic Region: All

We Dig this Film! Blogs

Re-VIEW: Madeline Sharafian’s Pixar Short, ‘Burrow’

If the goal of the studio’s SparkShorts incubator program is to identify young artists who have directing potential, then producing this wonderful film was an overwhelming success.

In 2D, CG, Digital Media, Event, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Special Events: VIEW Conference | Geographic Region: All

Anime ANIMATIONWorld

Review: ‘Ride Your Wave’ - Love, Loss, and Awkwardness on the Beach

Masaaki Yuasa’s latest film is an enjoyable tale of romance, grief, and self-discovery.

In 2D, Anime, CG, Films, People, Reviews | ANIMATIONWorld | Geographic Region: North America

Festivals Blogs

Review: FIAF’s 2020 Animation First Festival

Great French animation again comes to New York City.

In 2D, 3D, CG, Diversity and Inclusion, Event, Festival, Films, People, Reviews, Short Films, Virtual Reality | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: The Miscweant | Geographic Region: North America

Anime ANIMATIONWorld

Review: ‘Weathering with You’ - Finding That Place Where You Belong

Makoto Shinkai’s latest is an aesthetically pleasing animated tapestry with characters and relationships that are funny, dramatic and real.

In 2D, Anime, Films, People, Reviews | ANIMATIONWorld | Geographic Region: All

Books ANIMATIONWorld

Book Review: On Animation: The Director’s Perspective Volumes 1 and 2

Bill Kroyer, Tom Sito and Ron Diamond’s expansive anthology is an intimate and comprehensive record of firsthand experiences from a ‘Who’s Who’ of top industry directors.

In 2D, 3D, Books, CG, Digital Media, Films, People, Reviews, Stop-Motion, Writing | ANIMATIONWorld | Geographic Region: All

Animated Feature Film Blogs

Reviews: ‘Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles’ and Rob Paulsen’s ‘Voice Lessons’

The Misweant writes about a different labyrinth and definitely not those ‘Turtles;’ plus, with apologies to Rocket J. Squirrel, ‘that voice… where have I heard that voice?’

In 2D, Books, Cartoons, Films, People, Reviews, Television, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: The Miscweant | Geographic Region: All

Annecy ANIMATIONWorld

See My Field: Must-See Animated Features at Annecy 2019

From ‘I Lost My Body’ to ‘The Swallows of Kabul,’ cultural, narrative and aesthetic diversity reign in this year’s expanded feature film competition.

In 2D, 3D, CG, Event, Festival, Films, People, Reviews | ANIMATIONWorld | Special Events: Annecy | Geographic Region: All, Europe

Laika Blogs

Review: LAIKA Delivers its Most Complex Film Yet with ‘Missing Link’

AWN’s Miscweant examines the increasing sophistication of the technology powering the stop-motion studio’s fifth animated feature film, a globe-trotting adventure directed by Chris Butler.

In CG, Films, People, Stop-Motion, Technology, Visual Effects | ANIMATIONWorld, Blog Post | Blogs: The Miscweant | Geographic Region: North America

Disney Blogs

REVIEW: Disney’s ‘Dumbo’ Remake is ‘Pure Burton’

In the absence of talking animals, director Tim Burton’s ‘Dumbo’ works in plot points and references to the original film in very clever ways that fans of the original will recognize without feeling forced.

In 2D, 3D, Acting, CG, Films, People, Visual Effects | ANIMATIONWorld, VFXWorld | Blogs: The Miscweant | Geographic Region: All, North America

final draft Blogs

FINAL DRAFT 11 SCREENWRITING SOFTWARE REVIEW

Final Draft 11 was recently released and it's got some nice new features...

In Cartoons, Education and Training, Production, Reviews, Television, Writing | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: FADE IN: on Screenwriting, by Jeffrey Scott

documentary films Blogs

Review: ‘Never-Ending Man: Hayao Miyazaki’

AWN’s Miscweant looks at the fascinating new documentary that begs the question of whether or not the iconic animation director will ever make another film.