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Luis De La Rosa, ‘Across The Spider-Verse’ Animator And ‘Ash Raider’ Creator, Dies At 34
The global animation community is mourning the loss of Mexican animator and illustrator Luis de la Rosa, whose work spanned acclaimed feature films, television series, and original independent projects. De la Rosa died Wednesday while attending the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in France. He was 34.
De la Rosa had traveled to Annecy to present Ash Raider World, an original project that marked a significant new chapter in his career. After nearly a decade animating for major studios on productions seen by millions around the world, he was ready and, by all accounts from those who knew him that we talked to yesterday, more than capable of leading a production of his own. That ambition made his presence at the festival particularly meaningful this year, and news of his passing has cast a subdued, reflective mood over those still in town.
According to French regional newspaper Le Dauphiné Libéré, de la Rosa died Wednesday evening after being struck by a Léman Express train near Avenue Aristide-Briand in Annecy. Emergency responders arrived quickly but reported that he died immediately at the time of the accident. French authorities have opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
The festival is expected to pay tribute to de la Rosa during Saturday’s closing ceremony, recognizing an artist whose career has touched productions across feature animation, television, and games.
Born in Mexico in 1991, de la Rosa studied at Vancouver Film School and settled in the city, where he became part of a vibrant animation industry. Since 2016, he has worked for studios including WildBrain, Titmouse, Atomic Cartoons, Chaos Emporium, and Deluxe Animation.
His impressive list of film credits included Sony Pictures Animation’s Academy Award-winning Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, where he worked as a 2D animator, as well as Space Jam: A New Legacy and My Little Pony: The Movie. Television audiences knew his work from series including Animaniacs, Carmen Sandiego, and My Dad the Bounty Hunter. He had also most recently worked on Andrew Chesworth’s The Brave Locomotive short, Jon Densk’s short film Axolodyssey, and Dana Terrace’s indie pilot Knights of Guenivere.
Although his resume included some incredible work, his colleagues remembered him not simply for the big-name productions but for the generosity and optimism he brought into those productions every day. That sentiment has been reflected in the extraordinary outpouring of grief that followed news of his death.
Vancouver Film School, where de la Rosa studied animation before launching his professional career in Canada, posted to Instagram:
We are saddened to hear of the passing of VFS Class of ’89 alumnus Luis de la Rosa. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and classmates during this difficult time.
Colombian animator Sylvia Prietov, founder of Lucy Animation, remembered de la Rosa as both an extraordinary artist and an even better friend (translated from Spanish):
One of the best of us has left. He was a great friend for many years. He was pure light, love, and endless talent. Safe travels, my beautiful Luchito. This world turned out to be far too small and too dark for you, magnificent soul. I will always adore you. We will always remember you.
The Owl House creator Dana Terrace also acknowledged the loss while reflecting on her final days at Annecy:
I apologize to anyone I couldn’t talk to or had to turn away on the last day of Annecy. I wasn’t in a positive place. I’m still absolutely heartbroken. Thank you for understanding.
Her message captured the mood that settled over the festival as word spread among artists and filmmakers, many of whom had worked with de la Rosa during his prolific yet still very young career. It’s clear that he had so much more to offer the art form, and his passing leaves a mark that won’t soon be forgotten.
Artists both in Annecy and abroad who knew de la Rosa or his work also launched a digital memorial wall where they can share their thoughts, memories, and de la Rosa-inspired drawings in the medium they all share.
De la Rosa’s pitch that brought him to Annecy this year now stands as a poignant reminder of where his career was headed.
Not just an attendee to this edition, he was actively introducing Ash Raider World to the international animation community through Mifa, Annecy’s industry market. The project represented an evolution from well-regarded animator to original creator, with the ambition and know-how to catch the eye of the world’s largest festival and its hugely diverse range of attendees from across the industry. Artists, producers, distributors, and others were keen to see what de la Rosa had planned next.
The official Ash Raider World account describes the project with the tagline “Fueled by sound. Driven by freedom,” presenting a stylized action-adventure universe entirely conceived by de la Rosa.
As is common among indie artists these days, de la Rosa also posted numerous behind-the-scenes videos as he developed the title, building an organic fanbase ahead of introducing the project to the market. He even offered up lessons to fans of his work who wanted to learn how to become better animators.
In the days following his death, the account published a memorial message celebrating both the creator and the dream that had brought him to Annecy.
View this post on Instagram
Friends, collaborators, and admirers filled the comments with condolences and memories, expressing hope that his vision would continue to inspire others.
Throughout his career, de la Rosa put everything into his work, both on commercial productions and indie projects done on little to no budget with friends and colleagues. His social media presence reflected a love of illustration, character design, world building, and teaching that extended well beyond his professional assignments.
As tributes continue to appear throughout the weekend, they paint a remarkably consistent portrait. Friends remembered his warmth, colleagues praised his talent, and followers of his work remembered his endless encouragement and generosity.
QDEP Luis.