A Guide To The Perfect Pitch; Richard Williams’ Final Film; Guillermo Del Toro On AI

This week, we sat in on a masterclass from former Netflix executive Dominique Bazay, who shared her best advice for pitching animated projects, drawing on her experiences with Arcane, Hilda, and the one that got away, Peppa Pig. We also took a closer look at Lysistrata, the final film from animation legend Richard Williams, which opens in Los Angeles this weekend after making its world premiere at Annecy over the summer.

Guillermo del Toro explained what he believes artists lose by turning to generative AI, while South Park won its first Emmy in 13 years, using the occasion to troll Donald Trump.

Over in Europe, French animation exports have fallen another 30% as the international market continues to contract, but that hasn’t stopped the French Coyote vs. Acme service studio Stim from pushing ahead with an ambitious European expansion during a difficult period for the industry

We were excited to share the exclusive international trailer for Brazilian director Otto Guerra’s raucous animated road movie Son of a Bitch before it heads to Ottawa for its North American debut, and we also preview five animated features headed to Tokyo’s TIFFCOM, including Fukushima drama Peace Particle and the sharp-looking horror anthology Banquet for Hungry Ghosts from the Singapore studio behind Annecy winner The Violinist.

Check out these stories and more at cartoonbrew.com.

1. 
   How To Pitch An Animated Project, According To The Executive Who Bet On ‘Arcane’ And ‘Hilda’

   Clarity, personal stakes, and specificity are among Dominique Bazay’s essentials for a successful animation pitch after decades spent on both sides of the room.
2. 
   Richard Williams’ Final Film ‘Lysistrata,’ Featuring More Than 9,000 Hand-Drawn Images, Debuts In L.A. This Weekend

   Richard Williams’ posthumous final film, the eight-minute, hand-drawn ‘Lysistrata,’ opens in Los Angeles after premiering at Annecy.
3. 
   Guillermo Del Toro On What Artists Lose To AI: ‘You’re Never A Master; You’re Always An Apprentice’

   The director uses 'Pan’s Labyrinth’s' Pale Man, practical effects, and creative accidents to explain what gets lost when artists replace process with prompting.
4. 
   ‘South Park’ Wins First Emmy In 13 Years, Trolls Trump: ‘You Finally Got Your Emmy’

   'South Park' won the 2026 Emmy for Outstanding Animated Program for 'Sermon on the ’Mount,' its Trump-targeting season 27 premiere.
5. 
   French Animation Sales Plunge 30% As Export Market Contracts

   French animation sales fell for the second consecutive year in 2025, dropping 30.3% to €32.2 million amid a broader contraction in audiovisual exports.

6. 
   Brazil’s Raucous Road Movie ‘Son Of A Bitch’ Unveils International Trailer (EXCLUSIVE)

   The filmmakers behind the Brazilian feature discuss its 10-year production journey, festival reception, expressive visuals, and music.
7. 
   Amid Industry Contraction, French ‘Coyote Vs. Acme’ Service Studio Stim Is Expanding

   Stim CEO plans to grow its new Tenerife studio operation to more than 100 workers as the French animation service studio expands across Europe.
8. 
   From Fukushima Drama To A Horror Anthology From ‘The Violinist’ Studio: 5 Animated Features Head To TIFFCOM

   The seventh Tokyo Gap Financing Market will present 24 international feature projects during TIFFCOM, taking place October 28–30.
9. 
   Nearly 1,900 Blizzard Workers Ratify First Union Contracts, Including Wage Increases And AI Guardrails

   Negociated by the CWA, new agreements include wage increases, AI guardrails, enhanced severance, recall rights, and remote-work protections.
10. 
    Sander Joon Revisits The Long, Winding Road That Took ‘Sierra’ To The Oscar Shortlist In Viborg Masterclass

    The Estonian filmmaker discussed his experimental process, childhood influences, unexpected breakthroughs, and the value of creative rejection.