Animators to Watch 2026: Spotlight on Emerging Talent
Variety’s 2026 list celebrates ten promising animators across diverse styles, from 2D storytelling to stop‑motion and digital storytelling. The feature profiles each artist’s background, creative philosophy, and current projects, while also noting the broader industry context and upcoming festival…
By Felo News Desk · Published
Variety’s annual "Animators to Watch" list has returned for 2026, shining a spotlight on ten emerging voices reshaping animation. The feature blends profiles of artists working in hand‑drawn 2D, stop‑motion, and digital environments, and ties their stories to a larger conversation about the future of the medium.
Industry Context and Festival Highlights
Over the past twenty years, animated films have pushed artistic and narrative boundaries while consistently performing well at the box office. In 2025, Netflix’s "KPop Demon Hunters" broke ground by winning the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, a triumph amplified by its chart‑topping original song. Variety’s 2026 list follows that legacy, offering a curated look at the next generation of talent.
SCAD AnimationFest, returning to the Atlanta campus in September, will showcase premieres, sneak peeks, and panel discussions. The festival will also honor the 25th anniversary of "The Proud Family" and the closing‑night premiere of DreamWorks Animation’s "Forgotten Island." Joel Crawford, the film’s director and writer, will receive the Creative Impact in Animation Award, joining past honorees such as Chris Miller and Nick Park.
Featured Animators and Their Craft
- Chloë Aubert – Animation director of "Iron Boy" (Sony Pictures Classics). Aubert’s work on Louis Clichy’s hand‑drawn feature earned her a Cannes Un Certain Regard prize and an Annecy honor. She emphasizes emotion over technical perfection, insisting that "the invisible—air, breathing—must be animated to bring depth to characters." She remains a staunch advocate for 2D animation in the age of AI, arguing that handcrafted work retains a unique charm.
- Louise Bagnall – Creative director at Cartoon Saloon. Bagnall’s Oscar‑nominated short "Late Afternoon" and her feature debut "Julián" (based on Jessica Love’s book) explore identity and family through vibrant, analog techniques. She keeps the process tactile, using paper pencils and markers for backgrounds to mirror the tools a young boy would use in his imagination.
- Clarisse Chua – Story artist for Netflix’s "Ray Gunn". Inspired by Miyazaki’s "Howl’s Moving Castle," Chua brings a love of fantastical worlds and world‑building to Brad Bird’s noir‑inspired project. She values collaboration, noting Bird’s clear direction and supportive atmosphere as key to her creative process.
- Tilly Fidler – Stop‑motion animator on Laika’s "Wildwood." Fidler describes stop‑motion as a discipline of focus rather than patience, requiring frame‑by‑frame awareness of puppet movement. Her background in dance informs her ability to convey emotion through body language, a skill she believes is essential when characters speak no words.
- Ryan Gaffney – Head of story for Warner Bros. Pictures Animation’s "The Cat in the Hat." Gaffney leads storyboard teams, navigating the challenges of translating Dr. Seuss’s whimsical world into film. He highlights the iterative nature of storyboarding, where thousands of drawings are refined or discarded to achieve the final narrative.
- Samantha Suyi Lee – Storyboard artist on Sony Pictures Animation’s "Spider‑Man: Beyond the Spider‑Verse." Lee brings a deep understanding of character interiority, ensuring that action scenes feel authentic to each character’s personality. Her experience as an Emmy‑winning director on "Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur" informs her approach to dynamic, camera‑driven storytelling.
- Maarten Lemmens – Character animator for DreamWorks Animation’s "Forgotten Island." Lemmens grew up in Belgium and has developed a keen eye for detail in character design, contributing to the film’s vibrant, immersive world.
- Other Honorees – The list also includes artists working on projects such as "Wildwood," "Julián," "Ray Gunn," and "Spider‑Man: Beyond the Spider‑Verse," each bringing a unique perspective to the evolving animation landscape.
What’s Next for the Industry?
The 2026 list underscores a broader trend: a resurgence of hand‑crafted techniques alongside digital innovation. While AI tools become more prevalent, creators like Aubert and Fidler champion the tactile authenticity of traditional methods. Upcoming festivals and award ceremonies will continue to celebrate this blend of old and new, ensuring that animation remains a dynamic, inclusive art form.
Key facts
- Variety’s 2026 list spotlights ten rising animators across 2D, stop‑motion, and digital media.
- Artists emphasize emotion, authenticity, and collaboration over pure technical perfection.
- The list ties into SCAD AnimationFest and DreamWorks’ award ceremony, reflecting industry milestones.
- Emerging talent balances traditional craftsmanship with modern technology, including AI considerations.
- Profiles showcase how personal background and creative philosophy influence each animator’s work.
Why it matters
Highlighting emerging animators provides industry insight and encourages diverse storytelling, ensuring that fresh voices shape the future of animated cinema.
Frequently asked questions
What is Variety’s Animators to Watch list?
It is an annual feature that highlights ten emerging animators who are shaping the future of animation through innovative storytelling and techniques.
How does the list relate to industry events?
The featured animators are tied to upcoming festivals like SCAD AnimationFest and award ceremonies such as DreamWorks’ Creative Impact in Animation Award.
Why are traditional techniques still valued?
Creators argue that hand‑crafted methods bring emotional depth and authenticity that digital tools alone cannot replicate, especially in an era of AI.
Sources
- [1] variety.com — originally reported as “Variety’s 10 Animators to Watch 2026: Meet the Artists Behind ‘Wildwood,’ ‘Hexed,’ ‘Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse’ and More”
