Happy International Animation Day!

Created by ASIFA (International Animated Film Association), International Animation Day honours the birth of animation and puts the art form in the limelight in a global worldwide celebration every October 28th!

To mark the occasion this year, hear from our talented DNEG Animation leaders about what animation means to them.

---

---

"To me, Animation is the intersection of several, if not all, art forms: design, music, performance, and so much more. When I came to that realization back in the day, my path was forever changed. Animation as a medium has the power to bend reality to its will, the trick is knowing how to use that power wisely (and tastefully) to authentically connect the art with its audience."

- Ken Fountain, Animation Supervisor

---

---

"What inspires me about animation is that it is a versatile and universal medium. Animation frees creators to project their vision without the restrictions of the physical world - something that’s far harder to achieve in live action. It conveys emotion and story with more ease than any other medium, because animation and creativity are best of friends"

- Jean-François Leroux, DFX Supervisor

---

---

"What is so unique to animation is its blend of rooted story and fantastical image. We can come up with the most dazzling, magical imagery we could possibly think of (and we should!), but it would be meaningless without a strong underpinning of the human experience, a meaningful story to tell. It is this beautiful dichotomy that draws me back, endlessly, into this remarkable world of which I am lucky to be a part."

- Chris Kirshbaum, Animation Director

---

---

"Animation lets us use the laws of physics and the quirks of human psychology to bring stories and characters to life, making imagined worlds feel real. No other medium gives you total control over every frame, so you can make a feeling visible and connect with audiences anywhere in the world. Sometimes it can feel a little like being a scientist, though I’d always rather be called an 'Animator'."

- Kapil Sharma, Animation Director

---

---

"The true magic of animation is that it makes the impossible feel emotionally real. It isn't bound by the laws of physics, the limitations of the human body, or even the rules of reality. It can bring anything to life, from the smallest everyday object to entire worlds that exist only in our imagination."

- Archie Donato, VFX Supervisor

---

---

---

"Animation is such a unique and powerful medium, because entire worlds are conjured from nothing, from the sun down to the sand grains. Each layer is infused with human imagination, making it a uniquely beautiful art form."

- Patrick Harboun, VFX Supervisor

---

---

"Animation transports audiences to places they have never been, triggering their imaginations and immersing them in new worlds while still finding relatability through the characters' emotional journeys.

The touch of artists' hands in animation is still evident to the senses and emotions of audiences. That is what I love most about animation: the craft often invites us to look closer into ourselves and others, but in a fantastical context that allows for a more objective insight than other cinematic mediums. What inspires me most is that animation can tell new stories with time-tested mediums, tell classical stories through new techniques and looks, or simply create something completely new."

- Ted Ty, Global Head of Character Animation

---

---