Independent

‘Animation Is Film’ Announces 2025 Winners
ANIMATION IS FILM (AIF) today announced the winners of its 8th annual festival, with AMÉLIE OR THE CHARACTER OF RAIN, directed by Maïlys Vallade and Liane-Cho Han, receiving the festival’s top honor, the Grand Jury Prize.
INTERVIEW: Putting Together “Stitch Head”

INTERVIEW: Putting Together “Stitch Head”

Avatar photoJackson Murphy|
October 20th, 2025
We spoke with Steve Hudson, the director of the new animated feature Stitch Head, which opens in theaters on Wednesday Oct. 29, just in time for Halloween.
INTERVIEW: Presenting “Light Of The World”

INTERVIEW: Presenting “Light Of The World”

Avatar photoJackson Murphy|
August 27th, 2025
John J. Schafer and Tom Bancroft directed the new hand-drawn animated feature Light of the World, which opens in theaters on September 5th (John’s birthday). They hope audiences, especially families, respond well to their portrayal of the story of Christ, successfully made outside the major studio system. (This Animation Scoop Q&A was edited for length and clarity.) […]

Latest in Category: Independent

Jeremy Renner Added To Cast Of AMBI’s “Arctic Justice: Thunder Squad”

Two-time Academy Award nominee Jeremy Renner (“The Hurt Locker,” “The Avengers,” “Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol”) has signed on to voice the lead character (Swifty) in the epic 3D, CGI animated family film Arctic Justice: Thunder Squad from Andrea Iervolino and Monika Bacardi’s AMBI Group. Renner will lead an ensemble voice cast for “Arctic Justice” that […]
Avatar photoJerry Beck|August 24, 2016
Jeremy Renner Added To Cast Of AMBI’s “Arctic Justice: Thunder Squad”

Interview with Travis Knight on Directing “Kubo”

Travis Knight is the President and CEO of Laika, the stop-motion animation studio behind Oscar-nominated hits Coraline, ParaNorman and The Boxtrolls. Their latest feature, Kubo and the Two Strings, opening this weekend, marks Knight’s directorial debut. He told me about some of the decade-long efforts of the studio, bringing Kubo to life, and a “mind-blowing” […]
Avatar photoJackson Murphy|August 17, 2016
Interview with Travis Knight on Directing “Kubo”

TRAILER: “Long Way North” Shout Factory To Release For Oscar Consideration on September 9th

Shout Factory is giving Remi Chaye’s feature Long Way North a US theatrical release commencing September 30th. This places another French-based hand drawn animated feature in competition in the Oscar race for 2016. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Rémi Chayé (The Secret of Kells) and produced by Sacrebleu Productions (Madagascar, Carnet de Voyage), Maybe Movies (Ernest […]
Avatar photoJerry Beck|August 12, 2016
TRAILER: “Long Way North” Shout Factory To Release For Oscar Consideration on September 9th

Laika Offers a Rare Look at its Wondrous Wares

Today through next Sunday, August 14th, you can get a rare look at the actual stop-motion character figures, infinitely detailed sets and technical apparatus that have helped make Laika the Oscar-winning studio it is today. Following that odd, frequent theme park tradition of lengthy titles that the public shortens themselves anyway, Universal Studios Hollywood is […]
Avatar photoJerry Beck|August 8, 2016
Laika Offers a Rare Look at its Wondrous Wares

Two New Behind The Scenes Featurettes From “Kubo And The Two Strings”

Two – count ’em two – new mini-docs have been made available from Laika Studios that only whet your appetite for their latest, Kubo and The Two Strings. Discover the myth of Kubo by watching this new featurette, dropping today, which includes commentary from director Travis Knight, actors Charlize Theron and Matthew McConaughey and incredible […]
Avatar photoJerry Beck|July 29, 2016
Two New Behind The Scenes Featurettes From “Kubo And The Two Strings”

“From Coraline to Kubo: A Magical LAIKA Experience” Debuts at Universal Studios

LAIKA, the acclaimed animation studio and creators of the upcoming epic adventure film, Kubo and the Two Strings, which Focus Features releases in U.S. theaters on August 19th, will present “From Coraline to Kubo: A Magical LAIKA Experience.” This innovative, first-ever interactive event will feature an up-close look at the artistic detail and imagination behind […]
Avatar photoJerry Beck|July 22, 2016
“From Coraline to Kubo: A Magical LAIKA Experience” Debuts at Universal Studios

INTERVIEW: Gilbert Gottfried on “Aladdin”, “Animal Crackers” and “Life Animated”

Gilbert Gottfried is not only one of the most popular comedians working today, but he’s also an animation legend. His voice work in 1992’s “Aladdin” turned Iago the Parrot into one of the most iconic Disney characters of all-time. Gottfried has reprised that role for sequels, TV movies/series and video games. He’s also voiced characters […]