SCAD AnimationFest 2025: A Vibrant Celebration of Stop-Motion Artistry
This September, animation enthusiasts and storytellers alike will flock to Atlanta’s SCADshow theater as SCAD AnimationFest returns to Atlanta from September 25 to 27, 2025 (Awn, Rough Draft Atlanta). Known as Savannah College of Art and Design’s premier digital media showcase, this three-day festival is a hotbed for innovation across animation, visual effects, virtual design, gaming, and storytelling (SCAD.edu).
For the stop-motion community, one spotlight shines especially bright: “Inside the Stump: A Stop-Motion Journey” with Ozlem Akturk, co-creator and director of photography of The Tiny Chef Show (SCAD.edu). This hands-on presentation promises an intimate look at behind-the-scenes craftsmanship: navigating production hurdles, channeling creative resilience, and bringing tactile animation to life for social media and television audiences. It’s a rare opportunity to hear how passion and precision converge to animate small wonders.
Stop-Motion & Storytelling Through Music: A Harmonious Pair
Beyond the stump, the festival opens with a rich panel — “Storytelling Through Music with Disney Television Animation and Disney Jr.” Featuring the likes of Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh, creators of Phineas and Ferb, and composer Michelle Lewis, among others, this discussion delves into how music amplifies narrative across children’s animation (SCAD.edu). For stop-motion creators, it’s a timely reminder that sound and movement are inseparable allies in building emotional resonance.
Honors, Screenings, and Student Talent
The festival brims with industry celebration and inspiration:
- Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh will receive the Legends in Animation Award, accompanied by a fan-favorite episode screening and an in-conversation moment about their legacy (SCAD.edu, Rough Draft Atlanta).
- Chris Appelhans (often in partnership with Maggie Kang) will be honored with the Impact Award for the visually striking KPop Demon Hunters, with post-screening Q&A (Rough Draft Atlanta, georgiaentertainment.com).
- Exclusive screenings include The Mighty Nein, followed by a panel with its showrunner, art director, and character designer (SCAD.edu).
- Additional standout programming includes panels like “Drawn to Stand Out: Building a Career with Your Unique Style”, featuring Sanford Greene and Rossi Gifford; and “Aztec Batman: Clash of Empires”, with a screening and discussion of its cultural and visual roots (georgiaentertainment.com).
Nurturing the Next Generation of Stop-Motion Artists
SCAD AnimationFest isn’t just about industry giants—it’s also a springboard for emerging talent. SCAD Animation Studios—the university’s own professional-style animation studio—is set to premiere two new student-made stop-motion works: Inkwashed and Blood and Bamboo, alongside the annual student showcase (georgiaentertainment.com, Rough Draft Atlanta).
Accompanied by sessions like SCAD Alumni Voices, From Scratch to Screen: Adapting Written Novels for a Global Audience, and The First Sketch: Building a Career in Online Animation, the festival offers a broad, immersive education for students and professionals alike (georgiaentertainment.com).
Why It Matters for the Stop-Motion Community
SCAD AnimationFest 2025 is more than a festival—it’s a confluence of creativity, technique, and career opportunity. For stop-motion aficionados, the “Inside the Stump” session with Ozlem Akturk is a standout chance to peel back the layers of craft and innovation behind a viral, hands-on series. Complemented by panels on music, legacy creators, visual culture, and emerging student work, the festival offers an unmatched blend of nostalgia, inspiration, and forward-looking creativity.
