Key Takeaways
- 10th Anniversary Milestones: SCAD AnimationFest marks a decade with new awards, a shorts competition, and Variety’s ’10 Animators to Watch’ finding a new home.
- Industry Titans Honored: Bruce W. Smith & Ralph Farquhar (‘The Proud Family’) receive the Animation Trailblazer Award, while Joel Crawford (‘Forgotten Island’) gets the Variety Impact in Animation Award.
- Exclusive Sneak Peeks: Attendees will get early looks at major upcoming projects like Warner Bros. Pictures Animation’s ‘The Cat in the Hat’ and LAIKA’s stop-motion ‘Wildwood’.
Atlanta is set to become the epicenter of animation excellence as the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) proudly presents its 10th annual SCAD AnimationFest. From September 23-25, the SCADshow theater will host a groundbreaking celebration of animated movies, series, and the visionary artists behind them. This milestone anniversary not only honors established legends but also spotlights emerging talent and the cutting-edge technologies shaping the future of the industry.
The SCAD AnimationFest has grown into a pivotal event for creatives, students, and industry professionals alike, offering unparalleled access to the minds driving innovation in animation and visual effects. This year’s festival promises an even richer experience, blending insightful panels, exclusive screenings, and prestigious award ceremonies that underscore the dynamic evolution of the animated world.
Celebrating Animation Trailblazers and Impactful Visionaries
A highlight of the 10th-anniversary celebration is the recognition of individuals who have profoundly shaped the animation landscape. Bruce W. Smith and Ralph Farquhar, the creative forces behind the beloved series ‘The Proud Family,’ will be honored with the prestigious Animation Trailblazer Award. Their work, which recently continued with ‘The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder,’ has left an indelible mark on television animation, pushing boundaries in storytelling and character representation for 25 years.
Adding to the star-studded lineup, Joel Crawford, the Oscar-, BAFTA-, and Golden Globe-nominated director and writer, will receive the Variety Impact in Animation Award. Crawford, celebrated for his work on DreamWorks Animation’s upcoming feature ‘Forgotten Island,’ embodies the innovative spirit and creative excellence that the festival aims to champion. His career, spanning two decades at DreamWorks, reflects a continuous commitment to advancing the art of animated filmmaking.
New Horizons: Shorts Competition and Industry Spotlights
This year, the SCAD AnimationFest introduces its inaugural Animated Shorts Competition, providing a vital platform for new voices and experimental narratives. This initiative reaffirms SCAD’s dedication to nurturing the next generation of animators and showcasing diverse storytelling. Concurrently, the festival proudly becomes the new home for Variety’s 10 Animators to Watch, an influential program that has been identifying and celebrating rising stars in animation since its inception in 2015. This collaboration with Variety, hosted by chief awards editor Clayton Davis, further solidifies SCAD AnimationFest’s position as a launchpad for future talent.
A Glimpse into the Future: Exclusive Screenings and Panels
The three-day event is packed with opportunities to engage with leading executives and creatives from a diverse array of studios, including Adult Swim, Prime Video, Awesome Inc., Bento Box Entertainment, CBS Studios, Crunchyroll, Disney Television Animation, DreamWorks Animation, FOX Entertainment, LAIKA, Marvel Animation, Paramount+, Pixar Animation Studios, Sony Pictures Television, Titmouse, Walt Disney Imagineering, and Warner Bros. Pictures Animation. These sessions offer invaluable insights into the production pipelines, creative processes, and technological advancements driving the industry.
Wednesday: Kicking Off with Premiere Previews
The festival opens with a bang on Wednesday, featuring the highly anticipated Animated Shorts Competition. Attendees will also be treated to a sneak peek of Warner Bros. Pictures Animation’s ‘The Cat in the Hat,’ the first animated theatrical feature built around the iconic Dr. Seuss character, with Bill Hader lending his voice to the Cat. This film is set to hit theaters this November, promising a fresh take on a beloved classic. Screenings of new series like ‘President Curtis’ and ‘Helluva Boss,’ featuring voice actors Richard Horvitz and Brandon Rogers, will also take place. The day concludes with screenings of ‘Toy Story 5’ and ‘Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender,’ followed by a conversation with director Lauren Montgomery.
Thursday: Deep Dives and Celebrations
Thursday begins with ‘The Magic of SCAD Alumni: Inside Walt Disney Imagineering,’ a compelling panel featuring SCAD alumni who are now integral to shaping the immersive experiences at Imagineering. This session highlights the direct impact of SCAD’s education on the entertainment industry. A Warner Bros. Animation double feature includes ‘Batman: Knightfall – Part 1: Knightfall,’ followed by a discussion with executive vice president Peter Girardi and supervising producer Rick Morales. Also featured is ‘GET JIRO,’ the new Adult Swim series based on the graphic novel by Anthony Bourdain and Joel Rose. This session will include Girardi, Morales, and executive producers/showrunners Brian Gatewood and Alessandro Tanaka, offering a unique look into adapting a culinary-themed graphic novel into animation. For more on this exciting series, check out Anthony Bourdain’s ‘Get Jiro’ Animated Series Unleashes Culinary Chaos on Toonami and HBO Max.
Other screenings include Sony Pictures Television’s ‘Universal Basic Guys,’ from brothers Adam and Craig Malamut, ahead of its September 27 third-season premiere, and ‘Hoppers.’ Thursday culminates in a special celebration marking 25 years of ‘The Proud Family’ with creators Bruce W. Smith and Ralph Farquhar. The evening also features the North American premiere of ‘Sekiro: No Defeat,’ the hand-drawn 2D anime adaptation of FromSoftware’s ‘Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice,’ directed by Kenichi Kutsuna at studio Qzil.la, presented by Crunchyroll after its world premiere at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. Crunchyroll senior vice president of content Adam Zehner will introduce the film, underscoring the growing global influence of anime.
Friday: Stop-Motion Magic and Marvel Heroes
The final day of SCAD AnimationFest kicks off with an exclusive sneak peek at LAIKA’s highly anticipated stop-motion feature, ‘Wildwood.’ Director Travis Knight, head of animation Brad Schiff, and SCAD alum and stop-motion animator Tilly Fidler will guide attendees through the intricate production process, offering a rare look into the artistry and technology behind LAIKA’s acclaimed work. The day also includes a screening of the new series ‘Golden Axe’ and a session dedicated to Marvel Animation’s critically acclaimed ‘X-Men ’97’ with supervising producer Jake Castorena. As mentioned, Variety’s 10 Animators to Watch will make its festival debut, highlighting the industry’s brightest new talents. The festival concludes with a special premiere screening of DreamWorks Animation’s ‘Forgotten Island,’ followed by a conversation with director Joel Crawford about the film and his illustrious career.
SCAD AnimationFest: A Hub for Aspiring Animators
Mollie Brock, director of SCADFILM, emphasized the festival’s mission, stating, "SCAD AnimationFest is a unique opportunity to discover and celebrate creators, both students and professionals, who are carving out their own space in the animation landscape. To celebrate our 10th year, we are launching our inaugural Animated Shorts Competition and we are the new home to Variety’s prestigious 10 Animators to Watch." This sentiment highlights the festival’s dual role: honoring established masters and championing the next generation. Aspiring animators and VFX artists can find inspiration and opportunities at events like this, much like those highlighted in Unlock Your Potential: 2026 WIA Student Collectives Applications Now Open for Aspiring Animators & VFX Artists.
Additional panels such as ‘Draw Your Own Path: Independent Animation Studios,’ ‘From SCAD to the Studio: Alumni Voices,’ and ‘Next in Animation: SCAD Student Spotlight’ provide comprehensive guidance and networking opportunities. These sessions are crucial for students and emerging artists seeking to navigate the complex yet rewarding world of animation. The festival’s commitment to education and career development makes it an indispensable event for anyone passionate about animation.
Passes for the SCAD AnimationFest are currently on sale, with individual event tickets becoming available on September 18. The full schedule and further details can be found on the official SCAD website. This 10th anniversary promises to be an unforgettable journey through the past, present, and exciting future of animation. To learn more about the Savannah College of Art and Design, visit their official website at scad.edu.
SCAD AnimationFest 2024: Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | September 23-25 |
| Location | SCADshow Theater, SCAD Atlanta |
| Milestone | 10th Anniversary |
| Animation Trailblazer Award | Bruce W. Smith & Ralph Farquhar (‘The Proud Family’) |
| Variety Impact in Animation Award | Joel Crawford (DreamWorks’ ‘Forgotten Island’) |
| New Initiatives | Inaugural Animated Shorts Competition, New Home for Variety’s ’10 Animators to Watch’ |
| Notable Sneak Peeks | ‘The Cat in the Hat’, LAIKA’s ‘Wildwood’, DreamWorks’ ‘Forgotten Island’ |
| Participating Studios | Adult Swim, Prime Video, Disney, DreamWorks, LAIKA, Marvel, Pixar, Sony, Warner Bros. & more |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is SCAD AnimationFest?
SCAD AnimationFest is an annual three-day festival hosted by the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Atlanta. It celebrates the art and industry of animation, featuring screenings, panels, awards, and networking opportunities with leading professionals and studios. It’s a significant event for students, aspiring animators, and established artists in the field.
Who are the major honorees at the 10th SCAD AnimationFest?
This year, the festival honors Bruce W. Smith and Ralph Farquhar, creators of ‘The Proud Family,’ with the Animation Trailblazer Award for their 25 years of impact. Joel Crawford, director of DreamWorks’ ‘Forgotten Island,’ will receive the Variety Impact in Animation Award for his significant contributions to animated features.
What new additions can attendees expect at this year’s festival?
For its 10th anniversary, SCAD AnimationFest is introducing its first-ever Animated Shorts Competition, providing a platform for emerging talent. Additionally, it will serve as the new home for Variety’s prestigious ’10 Animators to Watch’ program, further solidifying its role in identifying and celebrating the industry’s future leaders.
Which major studios and projects will be featured?
The festival will feature executives and creatives from top studios like Disney, DreamWorks, LAIKA, Marvel, Pixar, and Warner Bros. Attendees will get sneak peeks at highly anticipated projects such as Warner Bros. Pictures Animation’s ‘The Cat in the Hat,’ LAIKA’s stop-motion ‘Wildwood,’ and DreamWorks Animation’s ‘Forgotten Island,’ alongside screenings of new series and acclaimed anime adaptations like ‘Sekiro: No Defeat.’
