Animation

Utopai launches next-gen AI storytelling platform

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 07:00:00 GMT

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA - Utopai Studios (www.utopaistudios.com) has launched PAI 2.0, its next-generation cinematic storytelling AI system. PAI 2.0 arrives less than two months after its April debut and amid strong early commercial demand for Utopai Studios’ technology.

DreamWorks Animation's MoonRay joins the Academy Software Foundation

Tue, 19 May 2026 07:00:00 GMT

LOS ANGELES - The Academy Software Foundation (www.aswf.io), the open-source foundation for advancing open-source software in motion pictures, visual effects and animation, has announced that MoonRay, the open source production path-tracing renderer developed by DreamWorks Animation, has joined the Foundation as a hosted project. MoonRay has rendered every DreamWorks Animation feature film since 2019, including How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, The Bad Guys (1 & 2), Kung Fu Panda 4 and The Wild Robot.

Wacom introduces new rotation-sensitive pen for creatives

Thu, 14 May 2026 07:00:00 GMT

TOKYO - Wacom (wacom.com) has introduced the Art Pen 2, a rotation-sensitive pen designed for digital artists seeking precise, expressive control. The new model enables artists to vary the thickness and character of their lines by rotating the pen in their hand, much like how traditional artists adjust the angle of a pencil, flat brush, felt marker or calligraphy pen.

Deep Fusion taps Max Alexander to oversee EXR-capable AI/VFX pipeline

Thu, 14 May 2026 07:00:00 GMT

CARDIFF, WALES - Deep Fusion (www.deepfusionfilms.com), the production company and technology developer, has appointed Max Alexander VFX/AI lead, a newly-created position. Alexander will head up DFX, a new division that's focused on providing generative AI services to third parties.

Former SideFX & Dneg CTO Paul Salvini joins Rodeo FX

Tue, 12 May 2026 07:00:00 GMT

MONTREAL - Rodeo FX recently welcomed Paul Salvini as its new chief technology officer. A respected innovator in computer graphics and a key figure behind the creation and evolution of SideFX's Houdini, Salvini brings a combination of deep technical expertise, entrepreneurial vision and industry insight. His arrival comes as Rodeo FX continues its investment in next-generation tools, scalable pipelines and forward-thinking R&D.

CG supervisor Nishant Khanna joins Digital Domain in India

Mon, 11 May 2026 07:00:00 GMT

HYDERABAD, INDIA - Visual effects studio Digital Domain (www.digitaldomain.com) has appointed CG supervisor Nishant Khanna to its office in Hyderabad, India. He brings over two decades of experience in computer graphics and visual effects, having worked with DreamWorks Animation, MPC, Brown Bag Films, Atomic Arts, Assemblage Entertainment, Riva Animation & VFX, and Prime Focus.

Maxon makes Autograph free for teams

Thu, 07 May 2026 07:00:00 GMT

BAD HOMBURG, GERMANY – Maxon (maxon.net), the developer of 2D & 3D software, as well as graphic design workflows, announced that Autograph team licenses are now available completely free for commercial use. No matter the setting, professionals working across teams of any size can now use Autograph at no cost. The move expands access to Autograph beyond individual users, giving teams, studios, agencies, brands, educators and commercial creative groups full access to Maxon’s modern motion graphics and VFX/compositing application across collaborative workflows.

Refuge expands to CA, NY & NJ; announces key appointments

Wed, 06 May 2026 07:00:00 GMT

PORTLAND, OR - Visual effects studio Refuge (www.refugevfx.com) has announced an expansion into California, New York and New Jersey, along with the appointment of four key executives. New team members bring deep visual effects experience and include VFX supervisor Jason Sperling, executive producers Matthew Poliquin and Hallana Paula Barbosa, and director of new business Michael Lebensfeld.

Jelmer Boskma appointed VFX supervisor at Digital Domain

Mon, 04 May 2026 07:00:00 GMT

LOS ANGELES - Jelmer Boskma has joined Digital Domain's (www.digitaldomain.com) senior creative team as VFX supervisor. He brings a

record that spans over a decade, with recent credits on blockbuster and critically-acclaimed projects such as Murderbot, Star Wars: Andor, Marvel's Eternals, Ant-Man & the Wasp and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.

Zoic provides VFX for Peacock's The Miniature Wife

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 07:00:00 GMT

VANCOUVER - Visual effects studio Zoic (https://www.zoicstudios.com) completed work on more than 500 shots across all 10 episodes of Peacock's upcoming series The Miniature Wife.

Jali helps create interactive AI character experience

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 07:00:00 GMT

TORONTO - At NAB Show 2026, Jali Research (https://jaliresearch.com) had a spot at the HP booth, where it showcased its realtime facial animation and lip-sync technology.

Zee Entertainment to invest in Phantom Digital Effects

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 07:00:00 GMT

MUMBAI, INDIA - Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd., is making a strategic investment in visual effects and animation studio, Phantom Digital Effects Ltd.

(https://phantommediagroup.com). Phantom has global presence in key markets, including the US and UK. Its studios include Milk Visual Effects, Tippett Studio, Lola and Spectre Post. The goal of the deal is to enhance Zee's presence in the animation, visual effects, gaming and comics (AVGC) segment, which it sees as a high-potential business.

Rodeo FX to open new studio in India

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 07:00:00 GMT

BANGALORE, INDIA - Rodeo FX (rodeofx.com) is opening a new studio in Bangalore, India, as part of the company’s continued global expansion. The new space will open this summer and will be fully integrated into the company's global pipeline, allowing it to support productions across film, episodic, animation, advertising and immersive experiences.

Lightcraft's Spark Story provides fast 3D interactive preview

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 07:00:00 GMT

LOS ANGELES — Lightcraft Technology (https://lightcraft.pro) will preview Spark Story at the upcoming NAB Show in Las Vegas. The rapid virtual-shot system is designed to help filmmakers start workshopping their story with their team.

Utopai Studios uses AI to create animated short for NBA star

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 07:00:00 GMT

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA - Utopai Studios (www.utopaistudios.com) recently collaborated with NBA star James Harden on an animated short that appears on his Instagram, X and TikTok accounts. The playful video centers around Harden's signature beard, which serves as inspiration for young players and fans of the Cleveland Cavaliers star.

VES announces 'VFX Women Who Lead' initiative

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 07:00:00 GMT

LOS ANGELES - The Visual Effects Society has launched VFX Women Who Lead (https://vesglobal.org/vfx-women-who-lead), a new initiative that aims to ensure woman in the VFX industry - at any point in their career - have the support, visibility, access and resources needed to succeed. The initiative is led by a committee of female VFX leaders from across the VES. Neishaw Ali serves as chair, spearheading the initiative and bringing her experiences as founding partner, CEO and executive producer of SpinVFX to the role. She is also a former member of the global VES board of directors.

Rodeo FX consolidates European operations with new Paris office

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 07:00:00 GMT

PARIS — Visual effect studio Rodeo FX (rodeofx.com) is entering a new chapter in Europe with the recent opening of its unified Paris studio in the 10th arrondissement. The company’s film & episodic division and advertising & experiences division, along with Mikros Animation, are now all under one roof. The move comes two years after Rodeo FX established a presence in Paris.

Raphael A. Pimentel named director of animation at Zoic

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 07:00:00 GMT

SANTA MONICA, CA - Zoic Studios (www.zoicstudios.com), which specializes in visual effects and creative production for film, television, commercials and interactive media, has appointed Raphael A. Pimentel director of animation. Prior to joining Zoic, he served as animation director at Luma Pictures, where he led teams across the Los Angeles, Melbourne and Vancouver studios, shepherding complex character work.

Oscars: One Battle After Another wins 6, including Best Picture

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 07:00:00 GMT

LOS ANGELES - The 98th Annual Academy Awards (www.oscars.org) took place last night, with Oscars presented in 24 categories. Sinners entered the night with 16 nominations, ultimately taking home four awards, winning the Lead Actor (Michael B. Jordan), Cinematography (Autumn Durald Arkapaw), Original Score (Ludwig Goransson) and Writing/Original Screenplay (Ryan Coogler) categories. The feature One Battle After Another won the top award for Best Picture, as well as for Directing (Paul Thomas Anderson), Actor in a Supporting Role (Sean Penn), Casting (Cassandra Kulukundis), Film Editing (Andy Jurgensen) and Writing/Adapted Screenplay (Paul Thomas Anderson).

Young Sherlock: Imaginary Forces creates show open for new Prime Video series

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 07:00:00 GMT

LOS ANGELES - The opening title sequence for Prime Video's Young Sherlock suggests that nothing is truly as it appears. The minute-long open features a series of transitions, with one element turning into something completely different when viewed from a different angle. A book becomes a phonograph, and its horn twirls into a spiral staircase. A row of mountains become a book of matches, and when lit, creates a flame that morphs into a butterfly.