We are delighted to announce the second guest of this year’s edition of the Animator Festival! It is John R. Dilworth, the creator of one of Cartoon Network’s most iconic productions, the series Courage the Cowardly Dog, and the director of the Oscar-nominated Chicken from Outer Space. During the festival, he will present his films, meet with the audience, and serve on the jury of the International Short Animated Film Competition.
“Courage the Cowardly Dog” needs no introduction. This cartoon about a timid dog who will stop at nothing to save his owners raised a generation born in the 1980s and 1990s. John R. Dilworth is the executive producer, director, and co-writer of all 104 episodes of the series, as well as the voice of many characters. He received an Annie Award for the set design of the episode “A Night at the Katz Motel”.
A breakthrough in John R. Dilworth’s career came with his 1994 film “The Dirdy Birdy”, which was screened at over 100 international festivals and won numerous awards. It opened the door for him to create further animations, including Space Chicken and “Courage the Cowardly Dog”. For his independent film “Life in Transition”, he won awards at the ASIFA-East Animation Festival and the Woodstock Film Festival, as well as receiving another Annie Award nomination.
Beyond Cartoon Network, Dilworth’s films can be found on platforms such as Netflix, Showtime, HBO, FOX, Nickelodeon, MTV, Canal+, and Arte. His works have also been exhibited in prestigious museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. John R. Dilworth is the founder of Stretch Films, an independent animation design and production studio. His latest production is titled “Howl If You Love Me”.
The iconic “Courage the Cowardly Dog” and other short films by John R. Dilworth will be screened on the big screen during the 19th edition of the Animator Festival. The director will also serve as a juror in the International Short Animated Film Competition, which shortens the path to an Academy Award nomination.
will take place between July 4 and July 12, 2026.
More announcements coming soon!
