Variety’s Pixels and Pencils Returns With Top Animation Directors — SkimNews
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- Variety hosts its fifth annual 'Pixels and Pencils' panel at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival, spotlighting directors of this year’s leading animated features.
- Brad Bird directs Netflix’s 'Ray Gunn', joining Daniel Chong (Pixar’s 'Hoppers'), Travis Knight (Laika’s 'Wildwood'), and others on the panel.
- Joel Crawford returns to the panel four years after his 2022 appearance, becoming the second filmmaker reinvited, following Domee Shi’s prior return.
- SCAD Savannah Film Festival draws over 63,000 attendees annually and will run its 29th edition from October 24–31, with event tickets available starting October 2.
- Variety expands its partnership with SCAD, having recently hosted the 2026 class of 10 Animators to Watch at SCAD AnimationFest in Atlanta.
- Jazz Tangcay will moderate Variety’s fifth annual '10 Artisans to Watch' panel, honoring standout talent across cinematography, production design, VFX, and other crafts.
Why it matters: The panel has become a key Oscar-season stop, with four of the five 2025 best animated feature nominees having appeared. Its continued prominence boosts visibility for both emerging artisans and studios investing in animation, including Netflix and Laika, ahead of awards voting.
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