The Fantasy/Animation blog presents short pieces that we hope will start new conversations that explore all aspects concerning the relationship between fantasy and animation. Whether you are an academic, screenwriter, practitioner, artist, curator, member of a fan organisation, director or anyone with a vested interest in where fantasy and animation meet, we would love to hear from you. We are looking for posts between approximately 1000-1200 words (we publish roughly four posts per month) that fall under the following categories: 

editorials

These are short opinion pieces in which you advance an argument, offer an interpretation of (or reflection) on an idea or concept, which connects fantasy and animation together. From reflections on creative practice to philosophical readings of animated fantasy films, the aim of these editorials is to kick-start new topics of discussion and initiate avenues for exploration. Editorials tend to be commissioned several months in advance of publication, particularly if they’re specifically topical pieces that might require a particular place in the schedule, so get in touch with Editorial Co-editors Dr. Christopher Holliday and Dr. Alexander Sergeant directly via the Submit Form to share your ideas!

sequence analysis

This is your chance to get obsessive! Pick a short clip from any example of fantasy/animation (maximum 3 minutes), whether this is a feature/short film, television series or even a videogame, and analyse the relationship between fantasy and animation in your chosen sequence. Get as specific and detailed as you like, and support your close examination with framegrabs and videos. If you’ve got a sequence in mind, or perhaps just want to run a possible scene past someone, then drop Dr. Christopher Holliday and Dr. Alexander Sergeant a line via the usual Submit Form in the “Submissions” tab above.

film, tv, and book reviews

These function as traditional reviews, but with a twist. Rather than a star rating telling us whether a film, television programme or book is good (or bad!), we are interested in how the relationship between fantasy and animation is negotiated implicitly through storytelling, or explicitly through arguments. These reviews are necessarily topical, so keep your eye on the latest release dates*, new publications (both popular and academic), as well as digital or streaming releases. Don’t be afraid to get in touch with just a few weeks’ notice telling us what you would be interested in reviewing (*we tend to follow U.K. release dates, but would be open to other international release schedules). Our editors Grace Han (Film & TV Editor) and Dr. Aga J. Drenda (Books Editor) can help!

event, conference, and festival reports

If you have attended any recent events, or are planning on taking part in anything from an academic conference or symposium to a film festival or fan meet-up, then we would love to hear about it. The event itself doesn’t have to be explicitly about fantasy or animation (though, of course, that would be great too!). Rather we are interested in how you felt the questions, discussion topics and debates raised at the event spoke to readers of fantasy/animation, or offer up different ways of thinking about the animated fantasy. If you’re interested in submitting something you think fits the bill, then our Events Editor Juliana Varela is your first port of call!