Creativity, Collaboration, and the Magic of the Richmond Animation Festival

Now in full swing, the Richmond Animation Festival has become a dynamic celebration of visual storytelling, drawing animators, filmmakers, and fans from across the region and beyond. With a packed lineup of screenings, the festival shines a light on the artistry and innovation happening in both independent and commercial animation.

We sat down with Jordan Bruner to talk about the evolving animation scene, what makes Richmond such a creative hotbed, and why festivals like this one are more vital than ever for artists and audiences alike.

CultureWorks: Can you tell us how the Richmond Animation Festival got started?

Jordan: Dash Shaw, Zack Williams, and I came up with the idea to start an animation festival here in Richmond back in 2022. We wanted to create an event where we could show some of our favorite animated shorts from around the world. I had hosted a similar event when I lived in New York at Equity Gallery, and it went really well - lots of people came out and it had such a great energy. Richmond already has a bunch of amazing festivals, but we thought it’d be fun to have something focused just on animation. It felt like a great way to bring people together, watch films in person, and meet others who are into animation.

CultureWorks: Any memorable stories or reactions from attendees that have stuck with you?

Jordan: Just hearing that people are excited for the upcoming festival really means a lot to me. It makes me so happy to know that people are genuinely looking forward to it! We’re hosting the after-party at the New York Deli again this year, and they’re even creating an animation-themed cocktail, which is super cute and fun.

One of the standout moments for me last year was seeing Robert Beatty’s work in person and getting to hear him talk about his process in a Q&A with Dash. That’s the kind of thing I would’ve paid money to see - and the fact that we made it happen and shared it with the community feels really special.

It’s also amazing how people still bring up films they saw at the festival last year or even the year before. The fact that these films are sticking with people is so cool. And we were blown away by the turnout - over 500 people came out! It was super exciting, and this year, we’re opening the doors earlier so there’s less of a wait. We’re learning as we go, and we’re just so thrilled to see the festival grow.

CultureWorks: How does the festival support local animators and storytellers?

Jordan: Right now, the festival isn’t limited to local work. We’re really focused on showing a curated selection of animation from around the world that inspires us. Even though the lineup isn’t region-specific, we’ve found that just creating a space where people can come together around animation has helped people connect, get inspired, and feel part of a larger creative community. Down the road, we’d love to explore more ways to directly support local artists - maybe through workshops or even a local showcase. We’re all artists working on our own projects and pretty new to festival organizing, so we’re definitely figuring things out as we go!

CultureWorks: How can people get involved — whether as artists, volunteers, or attendees?

Jordan: Come out to the festival! Like I mentioned, we’re still figuring things out and trying to keep everything streamlined, so we haven’t needed volunteers just yet, but that could change as the festival grows. If you’re interested in volunteering, especially if you have experience with event organizing and fundraising, feel free to message us on the Richmond Animation Festival Instagram page! Tickets can be purchased here.

CultureWorks: How do you see the Richmond Animation Festival growing in the next few years?

Jordan: In the next few years, I see the Richmond Animation Festival growing with things like workshops, a student or local showcase, and even site-specific animation installations.