‘Coyote’ Crosses $100M; Disney’s AI Boss; Annecy Seeks New Director

Coyote vs. Acme crossed the $100 million worldwide milestone on Monday, while a 40th-anniversary re-release of The Transformers: The Movie cracked the global top 10 and Aardman’s latest Shaun the Sheep opening stumbled in North America over the past weekend. Elsewhere, Disney named Character.AI CEO Karandeep Anand, an outspoken advocate for generative AI, as its first company-wide chief technology officer, and Annecy launched a search for a new artistic director as Marcel Jean prepares to step down following the 2027 edition.

Toniko Pantoja put out a killer video on why artists hired on the strength of their social media work can struggle inside studio pipelines; we publish an exclusive excerpt from OIAF artistic director Chris Robinson’s irreverent new “distorted memoir”; and Toho announces the return of Though I Am an Inept Villainess alongside an Electric Callboy remix of the My Hero Academia anthem “You Say Run.”

Plus, OIAF celebrates its 50th anniversary with Brad Bird, Forgotten Island, and more than 200 films; Tokyo’s TIFFCOM plans panels on anime’s overseas growth and international co-production; Brad Bird, Pixar, DreamWorks, Aardman, and others lead a packed View Conference program; and BLON festival director Laura Almantaitė discusses a record-setting edition and the rapid growth of Lithuanian animation.

Check out these stories and more at cartoonbrew.com.

1. 
   Box Office: ‘Coyote Vs. Acme’ Nears $100M; ‘Transformers’ Re-Release Earns $3.9M Worldwide; ‘Shaun’ Stumbles

   The '86 fan favorite returns to the global top 10 after 40 years; Aardman’s latest 'Shaun' opens domestically; 'Coyote vs. Acme' nears $100 million worldwide.
2. 
   Disney Appoints AI Evangelist Karandeep Anand As Its First Chief Technology Officer

   The Character.AI chief will oversee the entertainment giant’s infrastructure, data and AI platforms, and engineering teams.
3. 
   Marcel Jean Stepping Down As Annecy Artistic Director As Fest Launches Search For His Successor

   Marcel Jean will step down as Annecy’s artistic director after 15 years, with the festival now searching for his successor.
4. 
   Why ‘Instagram Hires’ Sometimes Struggle In Studio Animation

   Animator Toniko Pantoja explains how mismatched roles, unrealistic expectations, and disappearing entry-level jobs can set talented artists up to fail.
5. 
   Book Excerpt: OIAF Artistic Director Chris Robinson’s ‘Watch Me Jumpstart’ (EXCLUSIVE)

   OIAF artistic director and longtime Cartoon Brew contributor Chris Robinson recalls film cans, selection committees, and transformative shorts.

6. 
   Though I Am An Inept Villainess Sets January Return; My Hero Academia Reimagines ‘You Say Run’

   Toho reveals new casting for 'Inept Villainess' and teams Yuki Hayashi with Electric Callboy for a new version of 'MHA's' 'You Say Run.'
7. 
   OIAF Celebrates 50 Years With Brad Bird ‘Ray Gunn’ Talk, ‘Forgotten Island’ Screening, And Canadian Animation Showcase

   Seven features will compete in alongside new shorts from Don Hertzfeldt and Niki Lindroth von Bahr, industry talks, retrospectives, and Canadian showcases.
8. 
   Tokyo’s TIFFCOM Announces Panels On Anime Co-Production And Overseas Sales

   Executives from Production I.G, Nippon Animation, Foliascope, Robot Playground, and Salamander will discuss anime’s global expansion.
9. 
   Brad Bird, Pixar, DreamWorks, Aardman, And More Headline View Conference 2026

   The five-day event will feature sessions on 'Toy Story 5,' 'Forgotten Island,' 'GOAT,' and more, plus talks on AI and the future of filmmaking.
10. 
    BLON Festival Director Discusses the State of Lithuanian Animation and the Festival’s Future (EXCLUSIVE)

    BLON festival director Laura Almantaitė discusses Lithuania’s growing animation industry, its emerging talent, and the festival’s record year.