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LAIKA Marks 20 Years of Handcrafted Animation Mastery
14 Oct
Summary
- LAIKA celebrates 20th anniversary at Lumière Film Festival
- CEO Travis Knight attends, showcases upcoming film "Wildwood"
- LAIKA's handcrafted approach contrasts with AI-driven animation
On October 14, 2025, LAIKA, the renowned animation studio, marked its 20th anniversary with a celebration at the Lumière Film Festival in Lyon, France. LAIKA's President and CEO, Travis Knight, was present for the festivities, representing the studio's legacy of handcrafted storytelling.
The exhibition "LAIKA: FRAME X FRAME," co-presented by the British Film Institute, debuted at the festival, honoring the studio's unparalleled attention to detail in its stop-motion films, including "Coraline," "ParaNorman," and "Kubo and the Two Strings." Knight emphasized LAIKA's commitment to the Lumière brothers' pioneering spirit, stating that the studio's films are "made by human hands, not generated by algorithms."
During the opening ceremony, Knight joined other distinguished guests, including Sean Penn and Scott Cooper, on stage. Thierry Frémaux, the Festival Director, praised LAIKA's role in carrying forward the artistry and invention that began in Lyon over a century ago, presenting Knight with a Lumière photogram as a symbol of the studio's kinship with the Lumière brothers' legacy.
The festival also included a sold-out screening of LAIKA's acclaimed film "Kubo and the Two Strings," with a sneak peek of the studio's upcoming feature "Wildwood," marking a bridge between LAIKA's past and its future. The remastered version of "ParaNorman" and the new computer-generated short film "ParaNorman: The Thrifting" were also showcased at the event.
