Event

Writers in Motion: New Professional Development Programme for Animation Writers

A new six-month professional development programme will support writers and animation filmmakers in developing original animated short-film scripts. Applications open 7 December.

Published on:

October 29, 2026

VFXG

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Applications will soon open for Writers in Motion, a new professional development programme for writers and animation filmmakers looking to develop an original animated short-film idea into a script ready for pre-production.

Developed by Lagomorph Studios, supported by the VFX Guild and funded by the New Zealand Film Commission, the six-month programme will run from April to September 2027.

Led by animation-writing educator Shari Goodhartz, a small group of selected participants will work on story structure, character development and visual storytelling, progressing through treatments, beat sheets, script drafts and revisions.

The programme also includes sessions with animation professionals from Mukpuddy, storyboard artist Del Hahn (Dr. Storyboards) and Matt Haworth, covering the studio production pipeline, collaboration with storyboard artists and writing for animation design.

Participants will take part in online workshops, feedback sessions, practical development work and an in-person component in Auckland, concluding with a final table read.