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‘Animation Is Film’ Announces 2025 Winners

October 21st, 2025

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”

Jackson 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”

Jackson 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.) […]

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INTERVIEW: Animator Gints Zilbalodis on “Away”

Gints Zilbalodis made an animated feature by himself. Away, now playing in select theaters, is one of this year’s Oscar qualified animated films. It’s about a boy who ends-up on an island and has to try to get back home. Zilbalodis discusses the efforts it took to bring Away to life. Jackson Murphy: It is […]

Jackson Murphy|November 30, 2019

INTERVIEW with Floor Adams on “Mind My Mind”

Mind My Mind, directed by Floor Adams, is an excellent animated short film vying for top prizes this awards season. It first grabbed my attention in the spring as part of the Tribeca Film Festival animated shorts showcase, curated by Whoopi Goldberg. Floor Adams: It was amazing. She’s an amazing lady. It was very exciting. […]

Jackson Murphy|November 25, 2019

INTERVIEW: Directors Todd Edwards and Timothy Hooten talk “Piney: The Lonesome Pine”

Piney: The Lonesome Pine is a terrific 26-minute special that is currently looking for U.S. distribution. It’s also in the hunt for this year’s Best Animated Short Film Oscar. Directors Todd Edwards (Hoodwinked!) and Timothy Hooten adapt a beloved book into this CG short perfect for the holiday season. Todd Edwards: The story was brought […]

Jackson Murphy|November 18, 2019

Locksmith Animation Makes Deal To Adapt Richard Curtis’ Books

Locksmith Animation is creating an animated feature for digital platforms based on a series of Christmas children’s books by writer/director Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Love Actually, Yesterday) under the title The Empty Stocking. Veteran producer Bonnie Arnold, (How to Train Your Dragon, Toy Story, Tarzan) will join Locksmith heads Sarah Smith and […]

Jerry Beck|November 6, 2019

REVIEW: “Arctic Dogs”

Twenty minutes after leaving a showing of Arctic Dogs, I remained in a state of disbelief. How could any animated film in wide release this year be so unrelentingly putrid? 2019 has not been a banner year for mainstream theatrical releases, but Arctic Dogs makes any one of them look like candidates for inclusion in […]

Martin Goodman|November 6, 2019

INTERVIEW: Bill Plympton Discusses his Animated Features

Shout! Factory has acquired the film library of independent animator Bill Plympton in a deal that encompasses all seven of the Plympton feature films (The Tune, I Married a Strange Person!, Mutant Aliens, Hair High, Idiots and Angels, Cheatin’, and his latest feature, Revengeance) – as well as over 50 of his shorts, including the […]

Jerry Beck|October 30, 2019

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CROWD FUNDING: Let’s Support Bill Plympton’s “Slide”