Animation Director / Creative Partner (Student or Emerging Animator)

Animation Director / Creative Partner (Student or Emerging Animator)
Short Animated Film Series – Long-Term Collaboration
Initial Deadline: February (TBA)
We are a small production company led by a professional creative with a slate of original story concepts. We are beginning development on the first film in a series of short animated projects centered on human, heartfelt storytelling.
This is not a one-off project. The goal is to build an ongoing creative partnership with an animator who wants to grow alongside a body of work that has more stories to tell.
About the Project
The first short film is poetic and character-driven, focused on themes of time, identity, and choice. It uses subtle animation, symbolism, and emotional restraint rather than heavy dialogue or spectacle.
The stories in this series are:
Human and emotionally grounded
Conceptual rather than literal
Designed to resonate across cultures
Built for longevity and artistic growth
The Opportunity
We are seeking an animation student or emerging animator to step into a creative leadership role (Animation Director / Lead Animator) on the first film, with the intention of continuing collaboration on future shorts.
This is ideal for someone who:
Values credit, authorship, and portfolio-building
Wants to help shape a growing creative world
Is excited by meaningful storytelling over commercial polish
Understands that early projects are about momentum, not money alone
What You’ll Do
Collaborate on defining the animation style and visual language
Bring storyboards and direction to life through animation
Shape character performance, pacing, and emotional tone
Help set the foundation for future animated stories
Scope will be tailored to your experience level — this is a collaboration, not a solo burden.
Compensation
This is a low-budget project
Credit and long-term collaboration are the primary value
A modest flat fee will be paid for the first film
Future projects may scale as the body of work grows
We believe in transparency and respect for creative labor, even at the beginning.
Timeline
Immediate start
Production through January
Target delivery for first short: February 1
Who We’re Looking For
Strong storytelling instincts and emotional sensitivity
Experience in 2D, 2.5D, or stylized animation
A reel or portfolio that shows intention, not perfection
Reliability, curiosity, and openness to collaboration
If you care more about making something meaningful than chasing polish, this may be a good fit.
How to Apply
Please send:
A link to your demo reel or portfolio
A short note about why this type of collaboration interests you
Your availability over the next two months
Selected applicants will receive additional details about the project and long-term vision.
We are looking to build something thoughtfully, one story at a time.
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[Your Name]
[Production Company Name]
[Title]
[Email Address]
[Optional: Website / Portfolio]