Sep 15 2026
Every September 15 offers an opportunity to celebrate Yuri Norstein, the Soviet and Russian animator whose relatively small body of films has had an influence far beyond its size. Born on September 15, 1941, Norstein became one of the great artists of world animation through films that seem almost impossible to separate from dreams, memory, …
Sep 05 2026
Born on September 5, 1924, Frank Armitage followed an artistic path that was anything but ordinary. Over the course of his long career, the Australian-born artist moved from studying the monumental murals of Mexico to painting backgrounds for some of Walt Disney’s most famous animated films, creating imagery for the science-fiction classic Fantastic Voyage, designing …
Mar 22 2026
Born March 22, 1909, in San Francisco, Milt Kahl became one of the most influential artists in the history of American animation. During a career at Walt Disney Studios that stretched across more than four decades, Kahl helped shape characters ranging from Pinocchio and Bambi to Peter Pan, Shere Khan, and Madame Medusa. He was …
Apr 26 2025
Eyvind Earle (April 26, 1916 – July 20, 2000) was more than just an artist; he was a visionary whose work transformed the landscape of animation. Born in New York City and raised in Hollywood, Earle’s artistic journey began at an early age, influenced by his father’s career in film and his mother’s musical background. …
Apr 16 2025
Inspired after seeing this on Soviet Visuals and Folklore Film Fest‘s #SovietFilmWednesday, this was the first Soviet film I shared a little over four years ago, and it is still one of my favorites. What can I say, I love rain and cats, and the illustrations are beautiful, so this seemed like the perfect starting place for …
Dec 04 2024
Here is a charming little song, “Singing Cat,” an excerpt from Ladislas Starevich’s first animated feature, and often regarded as his finest work, The Tale of the Fox (Le Roman de Renard), which was made with the help of his daughter Irene in 1941. Ladislas Starevich was born in Moscow to Polish parents on August …
Dec 02 2024
Step into a world of whimsy and nostalgia as we journey back in time to the enchanting Frosty’s Winter Wonderland. Released on this day December 2, 1976, this beloved holiday classic created by Rankin & Bass has captivated audiences of all ages and continues to warm hearts with its endearing characters and delightful story. Set …
Nov 17 2024
The animation industry has been graced with many talented artists, but few have left a mark as profound as Walter Peregoy. His work spans several decades, with his contributions enriching the repertoire of giants such as Disney and Hanna-Barbera. Peregoy’s unique approach to color and design revolutionized the way animation was perceived and continues to …
Nov 13 2024
Seasons, made in 1969, with its beautiful stop-motion animation, is one of the most beloved Russian short films. Seasons was directed by Yuri Norstein and Ivan Ivanov-Vano, set to the music of Tchaikovsky. The detailed stop-motion animation, much done with delicate lace, features a couple gliding through the seasons, all set to brilliant renditions of “October” and …
Nov 06 2024
Today we have another wonderful Yuri Norstein film, Hedgehog in the Fog. Norstein is best known for this animation, as well as his Tale of Tales. Hedgehog in the Fog was directed by Norstein, written by Sergei Kozlov, with music by Mikhail Meyerovich. It was produced by Soyuzmultfilm in 1975. It is the story of a hedgehog and a bear cub who …
