Photos courtesy of Steve Granados Lopez
This article was authored by Steve Granados Lopez.
When ACM SIGGRAPH MTSU Student Chapter returned to Animation Y’all for a second year, it arrived at a conference that had clearly grown in scale, energy, and ambition. What began in 2025 as a new regional gathering for animation artists, students, educators, and professionals is quickly becoming a defining event for the animation community across Tennessee and the broader South.
This year, voices from Middle Tennessee State University helped tell that story from multiple perspectives. Kevin McNulty, program coordinator for MTSU’s animation program and liaison for the student chapter; Skye Baxter, president of the MTSU ACM SIGGRAPH Student Chapter; and Richard Lewis, associate professor of animation and member of the ACM SIGGRAPH Education Committee, each reflected on what the event represents — not only for students, but for the future of animation in Tennessee.
This year’s conference carried additional significance. Saturday, April 11, was officially recognized as “Animation Day” in Tennessee, underscoring the state’s growing investment in animation and digital media. At the same time, the emerging Tennessee Animation Association (TAA) signaled a broader effort to strengthen professional connections and build long-term support for animation artists and studios across the region.
Founded by veteran animation directors Tom Bancroft and Tony Bancroft, Animation Y’all has expanded rapidly in only two years. According to McNulty, the growth was immediately visible.
“It seems like it’s at least twice as big,” McNulty said. “Last year was around 700 attendees, and now they’re looking at nearly double that.”
The expansion could be seen everywhere — from the increased number of exhibitors and artist booths to the use of additional buildings and event spaces.
“That kind of expansion shows how much this is growing — and how much it’s needed,” McNulty explained.
Although Animation Y’all is independent from ACM SIGGRAPH, McNulty noted the natural overlap between the two communities.
“It brings together the same kind of people — those passionate about animation and computer graphics,” he said. “Animation Y’all leans more into the artistic side, while SIGGRAPH can be more technical, but they complement each other.”
For students, that overlap creates opportunities that can feel transformative. McNulty emphasized the importance of giving students access to industry professionals and creative communities without requiring them to leave Tennessee.
“They’re getting to see more of the industry without having to travel outside the state,” he said. “They’re meeting artists they follow, discovering new ones, and hearing from professionals.”
That visibility can fundamentally change how students imagine their futures. For Baxter, the conference represented something larger than networking or professional development. It suggested the possibility of building a career close to home.
“For the longest time, I thought I would have to move anywhere just to find a job,” Baxter said. “But seeing the community that’s building here in Nashville, it makes me want to stay.”
Baxter pointed to the Tennessee Animation Association as one of the most encouraging developments at the event.
“What really stuck with me was the focus on building a community here,” she said. “It made me realize that I don’t necessarily have to leave to find opportunities.”
One of the conference’s standout moments for Baxter was a TAA panel discussion that highlighted the growing momentum behind Tennessee’s animation industry.
“You always hear about places like LA or Vancouver,” she said. “But this showed that something is starting to grow here in Tennessee.”
That reassurance matters, especially for students preparing to enter a competitive industry.
“It’s intimidating going into the industry,” Baxter said. “But hearing that there are people here looking to connect, it makes it feel more possible.”
She also reflected on how conferences like Animation Y’all help students maintain a sense of creative community beyond graduation.
“A lot of students can lose that sense of community once they graduate,” Baxter explained. “This kind of expo helps them find that connection again and gives them a reason to keep going.”
For Lewis, the event’s evolution reflects both increasing demand and a broader regional shift.
“The scale is much bigger this year,” Lewis said. “Last year everything was in one building, but now it’s spread across multiple spaces with more workshops, more exhibitors, and more sponsors.”
He sees that growth as part of a larger effort to strengthen animation education and industry connections across the South.
“This is an ideal chance for students to see the industry firsthand,” Lewis said. “They can meet alumni, explore different paths, and understand what opportunities exist after graduation.”
When asked to describe Animation Y’all, Lewis offered a phrase that succinctly captures the spirit of the event: “It’s a Southern celebration of animation.”
It’s a Southern celebration of animation.
Richard lewis
That regional identity may be part of what makes the conference resonate so strongly with attendees. While major industry hubs like Los Angeles and Vancouver remain influential centers for animation, events like Animation Y’all are helping students and professionals imagine new creative ecosystems closer to home.
As attendance continues to grow and organizations like the Tennessee Animation Association gain momentum, Animation Y’all is becoming more than a conference. It is evolving into a gathering point for a regional creative community still defining itself, but growing quickly.
For McNulty, that momentum feels overdue.
“It’s been long overdue in the South,” he said. “Now it’s about continuing to build — creating more opportunities and making sure students have a path to achieve their goals.”
