Workshop: AI & The Future of Animation

Wednesday 15 July, 10:00 - 17:00

CoSTAR National Lab

(Application Deadline: 24 June, 2026)

This workshop offers a safe space to nurture the complex and nuanced discussions needed to consider how AI, Machine Learning and Generative AI are changing the nature of creative processes and business within the animation industry.

The day will bring together industry members, expert speakers including Sheridans and Storybook Studios, as well as CoSTAR’s R&D practitioners to debate, share perspectives and coordinate action exploring:

• AI & Ownership: an informed look at the current legal implications of AI usage, and trends of where it might be going.
• AI & Animation Pipelines: a series of roundtable discussions exploring the current and potential use of AI across the process, from development to production.
• Animation Studios of the Future: a deeper dive into what this means for studios in the coming years - from talent, to IP, to distribution. 

The workshop will be facilitated by Daniel Efergan, creative consultant supporting animation studios grappling with emerging technologies and former Exec Creative Director of Innovation at Aardman Animations. It will include talks from:

• Jack Jones, Partner in the Interactive and Creative Media Team at Sheridans, a leading media and technology law firm
• Storybook Studios, a creative studio deep into unravelling how AI can be used within animation productions
• CoSTAR Prototyping Team on their latest work on human-centred generative AI production workflows.

This workshop forms part of the CoSTAR AI for Creativity initiative, which is looking to support creative companies in responsible exploration of new technologies in service of their own creative practices. Through careful and structured debate this workshop sets out to support animation studios in navigating the evolution of their industry, through connection with experts, researchers and most importantly – each other.

Please note: Please submit all applications by 24 June, 2026. There is limited space for this workshop, so companies will be selected based on their strategic alignment with this opportunity, and their potential to benefit from the workshop and take forward some of the outputs into practical opportunities going forward.

Submitting an application does not guarantee participation in the workshop, so please plan any travel plans accordingly. We will inform all candidates of the outcome of their application by Friday 03 July.