Skwigly Online Animation Magazine are excited to announce the Second Edition of the official Skwigly book Independent Animation: Developing, Producing and Distributing Your Animated Films

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Available now and written by Skwigly Editor-in-Chief Ben Mitchell, the book features an enormous array of exclusive input from many of the most prominent and prolific names in indie animation, as well as curational insight from the teams behind some of the industry’s biggest events, festivals and distribution avenues.

The brand new 2023 edition includes updated and additional content from the original 2016 publication, with new case study interviews including filmmakers Don Hertzfeldt, David OReilly, Kirsten Lepore, Joost Lieuwma, Joseph Wallace and Tünde Vollenbroek, composers Skillbard, David Kamp and Philip Brookes as well as unique insight into the worlds of funding, festivals and distribution from Kieran Argo, Helen Brunsdon (British Animation Awards), Luce Grosjean (MIYU Distribution), Steve Henderson (Manchester Animation Festival), Rob Munday (Short of the Week, Director’s Notes), Lauren Orme (Cardiff Animation Festival), Chris Robinson (Ottawa International Animation Festival), Daniel Šuljić (Animafest Zagreb), Marie Valade (Festival Stop Motion Montréal), Nag Vladermersky (London International Animation Festival) and Aaron Wood (Animation-Festivals.com).

With the advent of advanced hand-held technology and the widespread nature of the Internet, the world of animated filmmaking is more exciting and accessible than ever. Due to this cultural and technological development, the success of independent animated film makers is on the rise. Independent Animation: Developing, Producing and Distributing Your Animated Films (Second Edition) showcases some of the greatest, most innovative giants in the field and helps guide readers through the artistic process and production techniques. Story development, casting, color theory, distribution and the intimidating aspects of production are elucidated using various examples of acclaimed, viral and award-winning animated films from all over the world. Readers will also explore the changing nature of audiences, festivals and distributors’ relationships with animation and be granted first-hand guidance in navigating the diverse fields of animated filmmaking.

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Accompanying the release of Independent Animation’s Second Edition is the announcement of the next Skwigly book Intimate Animation. Tied in with the long-running Skwigly podcast of the same name, Intimate Animation will be written by Ben Mitchell and prolific Skwigly Features Writer, filmmaker and educator Dr. Laura-Beth Cowley. With plans for a 2024 publication date (TBC), the second official Skwigly book will collect together a variety of prominent filmmakers and artists whose work in animation takes on themes of love, relationships and sexuality. For updates be sure to listen in to future episodes of the Intimate Animation podcast, whose fifth season will begin this year.

Independent Animation: Developing, Producing and Distributing Your Animated Films (Second Edition) is available now through Routledge/CRC Press with free shipping if ordered directly from the publisher and with a 20% discount throughout April 2023.