# Variety’s 2026 Animators to Watch

> 10 animators set to shape animation’s future.
- Title: Variety’s 2026 Animators to Watch · Variety | Shortify
- Summary: 10 animators set to shape animation’s future. Variety names 10 animators to watch for 2026, highlighting their impact on films like Wildwood and Spider-Man…
- Keywords: variety, wildwood, hexed, spider-man, spider-verse, seahawks, nfl, animation, 2026, scad, animationfest, the proud family
- Source: Variety — https://variety.com/lists/animators-to-watch-class-of-2026
- Author: Clayton Davis,Carole Horst,Sylvia Tan,Mya Copeland,Isabelle Farina,Tanya Fedak
- Published: 2026-09-17T16:35:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: variety, wildwood, hexed, spider-man, spider-verse, seahawks, nfl, animation, 2026, scad, animationfest, the proud family
## Animation’s Oscar Moment
Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters won animated feature Oscar with chart-topping song Golden.

> Golden
## 2026 Animators to Watch
Variety honors 10 animators behind Wildwood, Hexed, and Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse.
## SCAD AnimationFest Debut
SCAD AnimationFest returns to Atlanta Sept 23-25 for premieres and industry talks.
## The Proud Family Tribute
The Proud Family celebrates 25th anniversary with Bruce W. Smith and Ralph Farquhar.
## Joel Crawford Award
Joel Crawford wins Creative Impact in Animation Award for Forgotten Island.
## Chloë Aubert’s Vision
Aubert directs Iron Boy with hand-drawn 2D animation for emotional depth.
## Key takeaway

Variety names 10 animators to watch for 2026, highlighting their impact on films like Wildwood and Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse.