A cheerful, animated square character with googly eyes and blue pipe cleaner arms sits on a chair, holding a newspaper and giving a thumbs-up—ready to tune into the Google I/O Keynote Film 2026 by Laurie Rowan & Nexus in the cozy, note-filled room. Frame from Stash Magazine article.

Laurie Rowan & Nexus Chip In on Google I/O Keynote Film

Nexus Studios director Laurie Rowan powers up the kitschy fun of an 80s training montage in this keynote film for Google’s I/O 2026 event, a cheeky and tactile merger of 3D animation, puppetry, and AI. [Watch]

Four colorful, crayon-style illustrations inspired by Yoko Yuki's animation "In the Big Yard Inside the Teeny-Weeny Pocket" show a yellow, heart-shaped character feeling anxious, riding in a car, and interacting in a bright, whimsical world. Frame from Stash Magazine article.

You are Absolutely Not Prepared for Yoko Yuki’s “In the Big Yard Inside the Teeny-Weeny Pocket”

If you need something unexpected and unexplainable to break you out of a creative rut, a quick shot of this short film/music video – a delirious riot by Japanese animator Yoko Yuki – maybe the jump start you’re looking for. [Watch]

A cartoonish pink monster with four eyes and blue tentacles towers over a city with burning buildings, while a small blue finch perches on one tentacle. The scene, reminiscent of Kirsten Lepore's style, unfolds beneath fluffy clouds. Frame from Stash Magazine article.

Kirsten Lepore & Mathematic Do “Whatever It Takes To Get Through The Day” for Finch

Prettybird director (and Oscar-nominee/Emmy-winner) Kirsten Lepore works with the animation crew at Mathematic and ex-droga5 ECD Kevin Weir to channel the many eccentricities of personal wellness for self-care app ​Finch. [Watch]

A collage of twelve colorful images from Stash 177, featuring animated characters, abstract art, a beetle, a mushroom, a baby on a swing, people in various artistic styles, and a creature with large eyes and Japanese text. Frame from Stash Magazine article.
A collage of scenes from BRAINROT, a short film by Alex Semenov starring Thomas Middleditch: glowing blue-eyed man on his phone, winged man near a robot, robots building a pyramid, and space lab robots with a floating astronaut. Frame from Stash Magazine article.

The Idiot Future is Now: Alex Semenov & Thomas Middleditch Plug the Cure for “BRAINROT”

Director/animator Alex Semenov, whose Simpson’s Couch Gag is simply the darkest ever, just dropped us his latest black comedy – a sci-fi take-down of scrolling culture starring the voice of Thomas Middleditch (Silicon Valley). [Watch]

Four animated children lie in a circle on grassy ground, surrounded by small, pink creatures with ears and tails. Flowers dot the scene, creating a peaceful, whimsical mood inspired by Great Outdoors Colorado ad “Take Your Brain Out” by Anna Mantzaris. Frame from Stash Magazine article.

Anna Mantzaris Coaxes Kids to “Take Your Brain Out” for Great Outdoors Colorado

Working thru Denver agency Sukle, Passion Pictures director Anna Mantzaris applies her talents for warm and fuzzy stop-motion to the heavy lift of getting youngsters away from their screens and into the great outdoors. [Watch]