AnimSchool Launches IndieMation Fest Spotlighting Independent Animation Creators

AnimSchool, the online animation training program founded by former Blue Sky Studios animator David Gallagher, is hosting IndieMation Fest 2025 today, a new event highlighting independent animation projects and their creators. The livestream starts this morning at 11 a.m. PT (2 p.m. ET) on AnimSchool’s YouTube and LinkedIn channels.

The event will feature directors and artists behind several notable indie projects, including Port by the Sea (Georden Whitman), Forevergreen (Nathan Engelhardt), Spice Frontier (Aaron Gilman, Jalil Sadool, and Kayla O’Brien), MechWest (David Gallagher and Noah Gallagher), and Samurai Blue (Wyatt Hall and Amber Fitzpatrick).

As major studios struggle with shifts in the animation production and distribution ecosystem, a growing number of experienced artists are turning to independent production, exploring new funding models and storytelling formats. They join a wave of new indie creators who are leveraging digtial-first success into full-time work. Some of the IndieMation participants, such as Gilman (The Hobbit, Avatar) and Sadool (Rise of the Guardians, The Croods), have backgrounds in major studio work before pursuing independent ventures. Engelhardt still works at Disney and serves as animation supervisor on the upcoming Zootopia 2, and made Forevergreen in his free time alongside colleague Jeremy Spears.

AnimSchool has previously hosted online talks and workshops aimed at connecting students with industry professionals. With IndieMation Fest, the school appears to be broadening that mission to include showcasing creator-driven projects and discussing how independent animation can find audiences in a changing media landscape.

Participants:

• Port by the Sea — Georden Whitman
• Forevergreen — Nathan Engelhardt
• Spice Frontier — Aaron Gilman, Jalil Sadool & Kayla O’Brien
• MechWest — David Gallagher & Noah Gallagher
• Samurai Blue — Wyatt Hall & Amber Fitzpatrick