Highlights from the 10th Anniversary SCAD AnimationFest

SCAD AnimationFest just wrapped up its 10th anniversary celebration at the SCADshow theater in Atlanta. The three day event brought together industry professionals from major studios like Pixar, DreamWorks, and Adult Swim. It was a fantastic chance for students and fans to get a look at upcoming projects and hear from the creative teams behind them.

One of the most exciting reveals was the footage for the upcoming Cat in the Hat film from Warner Bros. Pictures Animation. The directors showed off three distinct visual styles for the movie, using a mix of 2D and 3D hand drawn illustrations. We also got a first look at the Adult Swim series Get Jiro, which adapts Anthony Bourdain and Joel Rose's graphic novel into a bloody and hilarious story set in a world of high stakes culinary combat.

The festival also hosted the North American premiere of Sekiro: No Defeat. The 2D animation does a great job of capturing the feeling of the original game, and fans can look forward to an eight episode TV series adaptation coming to streaming in January 2027. Aside from the big studio news, the spotlight on student films like Laika Howl and Immortals proved that the next generation of animators is already creating impressive, professional quality work.

Finally, the team from LAIKA stopped by to talk about their upcoming film Wildwood. Hearing about the craftsmanship behind their stop motion work was a real treat for anyone who appreciates the physical side of animation. It was a packed weekend, and we cannot wait to see these projects hit the big screen soon.