animated short films

A Message of Tolerance and Love ANIMATIONWorld

‘Pacemaker’: A Trans-Positive Story of Hope and Acceptance

Christopher Lennertz’s 3DCG heartfelt short about a grandfather’s journey to understand his grandson’s message of love and pride stars 2023 Tony Award winner Alex Newell, the first-ever non-binary actor to win a Tony, and multi-Grammy Award winner Philip Lawrence, with ‘Nimona’s ND Stevenson serving as executive producer.

In 3D, CG, Digital Media, Music and Sound, People, Short Films, Technology, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld | Geographic Region: All

PSAs Headline News

Nomint Creates ‘Up in Smoke’ for WWF to Address the Global Climate Crisis

Released at COP28, the short integrates stop-motion animation with real smoke, immersing viewers in a world where a young girl confronts a smoke-filled environment; experience the film and take a look behind the scenes.

In 3D, CG, Commercials, Digital Media, People, Short Films, Stop-Motion | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All

animated short films ANIMATIONWorld

‘Misaligned’: The Minimalist Observations of an Uncommunicative Couple

Marta Magnuska’s hand-drawn, charcoal on paper short carefully studies the relationship between two characters sharing the same living space and the everyday routines that define the tension in their repetitive lives.

In 2D, CG, Digital Media, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld

Diggin’ This Rockin Fun PSA ANIMATIONWorld

IdeaRocket Uses 2D Moles to Spread the Word for Dig Safety Awareness

For studio founder William Gadea, what better way to promote Indiana 811’s need to dramatize the possible negative consequences of digging up your yard without first located any underground utility lines than with Holey Moley as a rockin’ and rollin’, jumpsuit-wearing mole sporting a giant hair wave and a crew of sequined squirrel back-up singers.

In 2D, 3D, Business, CG, Commercials, Digital Media, Music and Sound, People, Technology | ANIMATIONWorld | Geographic Region: North America

The Best in CG Animation Headline News

SIGGRAPH Asia 2023 CAF Winners Announced

‘Moirai - Thread of Life’ takes Best in Show with Jury's Special Award going to ‘Hair Universe;’ winners among 38 films selected to screen at this year’s Electronic and Animation Theaters.

In 2D, 3D, Awards, CG, Digital Media, Event, Festival, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, VFXWorld | Special Events: SIGGRAPH Asia | Geographic Region: All

What We’ll Do for our First Crush ANIMATIONWorld

The Charming, Lyrical Sweetness of ‘The Day I Became a Bird’

Oscar-winning ‘The Lost Thing’ director Andrew Ruhemann and producer David Park talk about their soulful animated short, in which a young boy finds an unusual way to win the heart of his crush.

In 3D, CG, Digital Media, Music and Sound, People, Short Films, Technology | ANIMATIONWorld | Geographic Region: All

There’s No Accounting for Taste ANIMATIONWorld

Rotten Fruit? - Vimeo, Censorship and Creative Freedom

Canadian filmmaker Ivan Li’s animated short, ‘Fruit,’ was permanently removed from the streaming platform – that positions itself as a champion of bold cinema and art - despite endorsements from staff curators, a successful 2-year festival run, and ARTE broadcast in France; the artist hopes his case serves as a warning sign to independent filmmakers.

In 3D, Business, CG, Digital Media, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld | Geographic Region: North America

A Different Angle to a Traumatic Historical Event ANIMATIONWorld

‘Letter to a Pig’: Traumatic Memory Through the Eyes of Youthful Imagination

Filmmaker Tal Kantor’s first solo short film uses live-action and hand-drawn animation to tackle the heavy and complex subject of a Holocaust survivor addressing a classroom full of students, sharing a letter he wrote to the pig who saved his life, and how reality, memory, and imagination blend together in one young schoolgirl’s reaction.

In 2D, CG, Digital Media, People, Short Films, Technology | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: Ambling Around | Geographic Region: All

Reclaiming One’s History ANIMATIONWorld

Liam LoPinto's ‘The Old Young Crow’ Short and Sketchbooks for Refugees Initiative

The first-generation Iranian-American filmmaker, who for years denied his heritage, fell in love with his culture again while on an NYU exchange program in Japan as he spent time in Tokyo graveyards and began developing the story of a displaced Iranian boy.

In 2D, 3D, CG, People, Short Films, Stop-Motion | ANIMATIONWorld | Geographic Region: All

Animated Shorts of the Month ANIMATIONWorld

Binocular Briefs – November 2023

The latest survey of under-the-radar animated shorts currently travelling the festival circuit or new to online viewing.

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

Celebrating the Best in Animation ANIMATIONWorld

Behind the Line Work of Animation is Film 2023’s Grand Prize Winners

Both ‘Chicken for Linda!’ and ‘Letter to a Pig’ push the medium’s artistic boundaries with constant motion, unrefined lines, and imprecise shading and coloring, proving more experimental, auteur-driven animation can be every bit as compelling and entertaining as mainstream films.

In 2D, Awards, Event, Festival, Films, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld | Special Events: Animation is Film | Geographic Region: All

Festivals Headline News

Manchester Animation Festival 2023 Reveals Keynote and Program Updates

Event kicks off November 12, featuring hundreds of activities, with screenings, panels, workshops, masterclasses, and making of sessions; special events include ‘Magic Light Pictures at 20’ and ‘Festival Spotlight on Croatia.’

In 2D, 3D, Awards, CG, Digital Media, Education and Training, Event, Festival, Films, People, Short Films, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: Europe

Independent Animation Headline News

Exclusive: Award-Winning ‘Starling’ Making Of Episode 1 Released

Helmed by director Mitra Shahidi and produced through Pixar’s co-op program, the Tribeca Film Fest Best Animated Short winner and 2024 Oscar contender, created by a global team of 70+ artists from 14 countries, tells the story of a mischievous star spirit that travels home to Istanbul to celebrate her birthday with family one last time.

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Student Animation Headline News

Animation Mentor’s 17th Student Showcase Continues School’s Creative Evolution

For Disney’s Brendan Gottlieb, the showcase director and a program mentor, helping students push their artistic capabilities, especially since they’re focused on character performance typically without lighting, sound, or even clothes, means getting a team together to give each project the ‘feature treatment’ and bring its story to life.

In 3D, CG, Digital Media, Education and Training, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All

A Badly Needed Smile Has Crossed Our Faces Headline News

Skybound Entertainment Relaunches Iconic 'Spike & Mike’s Festival of Animation'

Submissions now open for short films from creators in the U.S., Canada and U.K.; festival details still to be worked out, but awards will include project stipends, acquisitions, and development opportunities.

In 2D, 3D, Business, Call for Entries, CG, Digital Media, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All

We Want Cute Eggs with Legs! Headline News

Stoopid Buddy Stoodios Launches ‘The Von Dingles’ Kickstarter

Seth Green and John Harvatine have teamed up with Macroverse and artist Patrick Williams on a new Halloween project, bringing their graphic novel direct to fans, kicking off with a stop-motion short - and tons of images - to introduce audiences to the world of some cute, talking eggs.

In 2D, Business, CG, Comics, People, Short Films, Stop-Motion | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Awards Headline News

26th Annual SCAD Savannah Film Festival Winners Revealed

Out of 2,100 submissions, a selection of 99 films competed; top honors went to ‘Slow Light,’ named Best Animated Short in the professional competition, and ‘Close Your Eyes,’ named Best Student Animation.

In 2D, 3D, Awards, Event, Festival, Films, People, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All

They Met the Challenge Headline News

The 2023 24 HOURS Animation Contest Winners Announced

Over 2,100 students met the challenge, producing a 30-second animation in under 24 hours; teams from 90 colleges and 14 high schools participated, with winners receiving over $165k in prize packs and cash.

In 2D, 3D, Awards, CG, Event, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Celebrating the Best in Animation Headline News

‘Chicken for Linda!’ Takes Grand Prize at AiF 2023

The 6^th edition of Animation is Film announced winners for its 5-day festival that kicked off with Studio Ghibli’s just-released 'The Boy and The Heron,' directed by Hayao Miyazaki, and wrapped with director Sam Fell and Peter Lord presenting Aardman's upcoming film, ‘Chicken Run: Dawn of The Nugget.’

In 2D, 3D, Awards, Event, Festival, Films, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Special Events: Animation is Film | Geographic Region: North America

And the Winner Is… Headline News

2023 Student Academy Award Medalists Revealed

In animation, ‘Boom’ takes Gold, with ‘Diplomatie de l’Éclipse,’ and ‘Mum’s Spaghetti, earning Silver and Bronze respectively; winning films now eligible for 2023 Oscars.

In 2D, 3D, Awards, CG, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Special Events: Academy Awards | Geographic Region: All

Animated Shorts of the Month ANIMATIONWorld

Binocular Briefs – October 2023

The latest survey of under-the-radar animated shorts currently travelling the festival circuit or new to online viewing.

In 2D, 3D, Digital Media, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld | Geographic Region: All

Adapting a Classic ANIMATIONWorld

'Peter & the Wolf’ Tackles a Child’s Grief with Detailed Modeling and Punk 2D

The film, featuring music and narration by Gavin Friday and artwork based on original illustrations by Bono, retells and transforms Prokofiev’s 1936 symphonic fairytale into a story about a 12-year-old boy coping with the pain of losing his mother; short debuts October 19 on Max.

In 2D, CG, Digital Media, Music and Sound, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld | Geographic Region: All

Supporting 3D Design and Collaboration Headline News

NVIDIA Omniverse is Changing Filmmaking and Exxact is Helping It Happen

Three presenters at NVIDIA GTC, the conference for AI and the metaverse, talked about their adoption of real-time virtual production integrated with the technology giant’s end-to-end platform for building and operating 3D virtual worlds, a growing movement supported by Exxact Corporation, a Fremont, CA-based provider of high-performance computing solutions.

In 3D, AI, Business, CG, Digital Media, Event, Films, People, Previs/Postvis/Visualization, Short Films, Technology, Theme Parks - Installations, Virtual Production, Visual Effects | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All

Adapting a Classic Headline News

Max Drops Trailer for Original Animated Short ‘Peter & the Wolf’

Coming October 19, the film, featuring music and narration by Gavin Friday and artwork based on original illustrations by Bono, transforms and retells the classic fairytale and Sergei Prokofiev’s famed symphony.

In 3D, Art, Books, CG, Digital Media, Music and Sound, People, Short Films, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Celebrating the Best in Animation Headline News

AIF 2023 Announces Line Up – Miyazaki’s ‘The Boy and The Heron’ to Kick-Off

The 5-day festival opens October 18 with GKIDS’ presentation of the legendary filmmaker and Studio Ghibli’s new film at the Hollywood landmark TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX; program includes special screenings, competitions, panels and premieres.