Theodore Ushev is making his first animated feature, Light Boxes

[GhibliMornings]

Oscar-nominated filmmaker Theodore Ushev is stepping into feature-length animation with his new film, Light Boxes. This ambitious project combines 3D puppet stop-motion and live-action elements, and it's a co-production involving Bulgaria, Canada, France, Belgium, and Poland. Light Boxes has also been selected for the 2026 Venice Gap-Financing Market.

https://www.animationmagazine.net/2026/09/theodore-ushev-unveils-first-animated-feature-light-boxes/

 

[Justin J]

It's interesting that Ushev is blending 3D puppet stop-motion with live-action elements, but I can't help feeling a bit skeptical about this combination. While it's great to see innovation in animation, incorporating so many different techniques can often lead to a muddled visual style. I remember when films like "A Scanner Darkly" tried to merge live-action and rotoscope animation, and it really divided audiences. Plus, does anyone else think it's a bit ambitious to showcase a project at the 2026 Venice Gap-Financing Market before its even fully fleshed out? How do you think that strategy will affect the creative process?