C5 presents: The History of Film Animation | Secret of Nimh | Thursday | February 26th 2026

Animation history is fueled by rebellion, rivalry, and artists bold enough to break away from the status quo. The Rise of Rivals dives into the moment when animators defected from the Disney machine, sparking fierce creative competition and giving rise to sharper humor, darker themes, and entirely new icons. As studios and storytellers pushed back against polished fairy tales, characters like Bugs Bunny emerged—witty, irreverent, and defiantly different—forever changing the tone and possibilities of animation.

We’ll kick things off with Looney Tunes: A Wild Hare (1940), the cartoon that officially introduced Bugs Bunny and defined Warner Bros.’ fast, anarchic style as a direct counterpoint to Disney’s approach. Then, experience the haunting artistry of The Secret of NIMH (1982), a visually rich and emotionally daring feature created by former Disney animators who set out to prove animation could be complex, mature, and uncompromising.

You’re in for an electrifying night celebrating the rivalries that reshaped animation—and the artists who dared to challenge the throne.

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