Form the release:

The MAKE grant is helping student animators launch their careers and opens the door to interested partners in supporting the next generation of storytellers.

For today’s animation students, a thesis film is no longer just a graduation requirement. It’s often the project that lands a first job, attracts collaborators, gets into festivals, and introduces artists to the industry.

That’s why MAKE created the Animation Thesis Grant. The program provides funding, professional support, and industry visibility to help emerging animators bring ambitious thesis films to life while giving them the confidence to enter the professional world.

“Every year, we’re reminded just how much incredible talent exists around the world. The Animation Thesis Grant is about helping students take the leap from the classroom into the professional industry with work they’re proud of, confidence in their creative voice, and a community that believes in what they’re building.”
 

2026 Animation Thesis Grant Winners

 
First Place — Stone Lions Don’t Roar
Directed by Le Hang Whalen and Avery Stratton – Set in a fantastical 16th-century Vietnam where emotions take the form of living creatures, the film follows two sisters as they navigate grief, responsibility, and forgiveness.

Le Hang Whalen: “Creating Stone Lions Don’t Roar was an incredibly personal journey, and having the support of the MAKE Animation Thesis Grant gave us the confidence to keep pushing the film as far as we could. Knowing that working professionals believed in our story made us feel seen as artists, and that encouragement has been just as meaningful as the funding itself.”

Second Place — Thiefish
Directed by Madhava Kinnicutt and Evelyn Dale – Inspired by a love of the natural world, the film follows a thief-for-hire and a struggling fisherman as they attempt to restore balance to their world while encouraging conversations about humanity’s relationship with nature.

Third Place — Back to Bones
Directed by Ryan Koutras – A comedic fantasy following a resurrected knight and squire trapped in an endless cycle of battle and rebirth, balancing cinematic action with absurd humor.

As the Animation Thesis Grant enters its third year, MAKE is looking to expand its impact through partnerships with studios, brands, software companies, educational organizations, and members of the animation community.

Whether through funding, mentorship, production resources, or industry connections, the studio hopes to create even more opportunities for emerging filmmakers to bring ambitious stories to life.

Organizations interested in partnering with the MAKE Animation Thesis Grant are strongly encouraged to connect with the MAKE team – [email protected]